By MELISSA MEEHAN
BAD decisions on the road can have devastating consequences.
It’s a simple sentiment but it’s a frightening thought to know that while young drivers represent only 13 per cent of Victoria’s driving population, they make up a quarter of fatalities on the road.
Dandenong based MICA paramedic Jason Callanan wants teenagers to get road wise, and has visited schools over the state with the RoadWhyz program.
“We are targeting year 11 and 12 kids with this program,” Mr Callanan said.
“Education is key.”
Mr Callanan said he saw the true face of road trauma in his job as a MICA paramedic in Dandenong, one of the busiest regions in the state.
“We want to let these kids know what their choices can cause, whether it’s speeding, mobile phone use or drink driving,” he said.
“It’s not a case of scaring kids but trying to educate them about the outcomes of their choices when they are on the road.”
Cr Callanan is joined by a former policeman who worked in the Major Collisions Unit, an emergency department nurse as well as a mother who lost her child to road trauma.
“It’s not really about shock tactics, but it’s a realistic life lesson, we don’t just come in and talk at them either, we have practical exercises where they wear goggles and understand how it affects their spatial awareness,” he said.
“I’ve found its really connected with these kids, we’ve had many write to us after going to the program and saying it has changed their driving behaviour already.
“If we can change the attitude of just one kid in each group, we’re doing something right.”
This month he and his RoadWhyz colleagues are taking their message all around the state including to schools in the south-east.
Those who would like Jason and his team to visit their school should call 0419 531 417.
