Bordertown Students Empowered to be Better Road Users

Students at Bordertown High School have participated in the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) Road Awareness Program (RAP) this week, where they were empowered to become the generational change in road safety.

MFS firefighters and road crash survivors presented the positive, engaging and emotionally powerful road safety program to licence aged secondary school students across the State.

MFS Station Officer Brad Ryan said he repeatedly hears students say they do care about their mates and will involve them in discussions surrounding the power of positive and constructive peer pressure to eliminate dangerous driving behaviours.

“The MFS RAP team knows that students don’t care how much someone shows off, but they do want them to show how much they care.

“The students will learn that road crashes caused while driving fatigued account for approximately 30% of all regional road fatalities.

"The RAP team encourages students to identify options to address fatigue including sharing the driving with others in the vehicle.

"Alternatively if they’re driving alone, they’ll recognise the benefits of pulling over to stop and rest.”

Mr Ryan said choices made by road users are reflected in road crash statistics and these are not the sole domain of drivers, passengers and pedestrians can and do play a significant role.

“RAP empowers passengers to speak up if they’re in a car where the driver or other passengers are exhibiting dangerous behaviour and provides them with solutions to exit.

"No one should feel unsafe as a passenger in a vehicle,” said Officer Ryan.

Joining MFS in Bordertown was guest presenter and road crash survivor Lachlan (Locky) Miller who spent 38 days showing little signs of life as he lay in a coma following a horrific road accident.

Locky shared the story of his experience along with the consequences of the acquired brain injury he now lives with in the hope that the students will take away from the presentation the importance of making the choice to be safe and responsible road users.

The award winning MFS Road Awareness Program (RAP) has reached more than 150,000 licence aged drivers and road users across South Australia since it began in 2005.

The program is funded by the State Government and is generously supported by sponsors the RAA, the Motor Accident Commission (MAC), SA Power Networks (SAPN) and the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation (APFF) charity.