Young driver education program scrapped in QLD

[Jim Goose]

Well we all beat our chest about how important it is to educate young drivers about the dangers of "bad driving" (ie hooning).... it seems to have fallen on deaf ears in QLD.

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au...9748_news.html

A VITAL driver safety program for high school students has been cut despite the North's road toll soaring.

The Roads, Attitudes and Action Planning program is just one of four community education programs that have been cut by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service as the agency struggles to implement budget cuts mandated by the State Government.

It comes as the state's road toll continues to rise, with 239 people losing their lives across Queensland already this year, including 17 in North Queensland, five more than the region's total road toll for 2011.

The RAAP program cut has been slammed by victims and emergency service workers who say it will put more young lives at risk.

The program, which involved firefighters visiting high schools and playing footage from road accidents, was introduced in the late 1990s and has been presented to more than 30,000 Year 12 students across the state every year.

The adjoining Fight Fire Fascination program, which aims to deter young children from setting fires, has also been cut, along with two other programs aimed at young offenders: Juvenile Arson Offenders program and the Motor Vehicle Offenders program.

The closure of the programs follows a last-ditch appeal by firefighters to save them.

United Firefighter Union Queensland Townsville representative Peter Marten said workers were disappointed the programs had been axed.

"A lot of our work is prevention," he said.

"The RAAP program is designed and targeted at that high-risk age group of kids who are just getting their licences.

"Firefighters see the consequences (of unsafe road behaviour) and we see the injuries.

"The fatalities make the headlines, but there are so many people who are permanently disabled or carry injuries after a silly decision or accident occurs."

Kennedy mother Julie Russell, whose teenage son James suffered head, lung, rib and ankle injuries in a motorcycle accident near their home the day after Cyclone Yasi, said it was important young drivers were aware what could happen to them on the roads.

"They come out thinking they're bulletproof and that it's not going to happen to them," she said.

"Even now, James says, 'Why didn't I have my helmet and my boots on?'."

Ms Russell said James would always be affected by brain damage sustained in the accident.

"It's a very tragic thing for a young person to go through and it affects everybody in his life; his friends, his family, his employer, everyone," she said.

Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor and former police traffic branch officer of 30 years Rodger Bow said driver safety education could save lives.

"Road safety is a whole of government responsibility and Police, Emergency Services along with the lead agency Queensland Transport will continue to promote it tirelessly."

[SSD-85]

As tempting as it is to turn this thread political, I'll refrain.

Enough said.

[350125GO]

The public gets what the public wants.

[paule11]

Originally Posted by 350125GO

The public gets what the public wants.

Public gets misled and history always repeats

[Joshmcmillan]

I similar program ran in my NSW school during year 11/12 a few years ago prompted me to sell my EA falcon with a safer BA Xt.

[TC200six]

My year level did this back in year 12. All students in the year level combined together in the performance space to be given a lecture from members of the fire brigade. After the lecture, a girl in my class said it scared her so much she didn't want to get into a car anymore.

I didn't find it that bad though. A year before, my year level was offered an excursion to the Chandler Sports center where the Rotary club has its own driver education program. One of the rotational activities involved a cop showing a video which was full of crash victims I'm sure were dead, including an infant in a baby capsule that looked dead too. I think that was more disturbing to watch than what the firies showed us.

[Ben73]

When I was at school we were told we would go through a road safety class.
That was the last I heard of it.
I don't know if I was away on the day they had it or what, but I never heard about it again.
It's better then nothing I support programs like that.

[falconnut]

NSW still does this as far as i am aware, i could not be stuffed going to one of these when i had my p's and i still would not gonow.

that been said its terrible QLD is cutting everything, thats what you get when you vote for liberal rednecks whos only stragtigy is to tighten their purse strings as much as they can.

[Franco Cozzo]

Maybe they should start with cutting all the filth in Parliament benefits?

The pollie who suggests this would have a very short career.

[XR6T0Y]

I never got any thing like this in school.....

[LG17]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

I never got any thing like this in school.....

Mate, neither did I.
The day I turned 17 I walked into the local cop shop in the morning and said I want a learner's permit. The copper asked me why and I said it's my birthday, I'm 17. He said but you've been driving for years. He wrote it out and when I went back in after lunch he just wrote out the licence!

But times change; we need to educate our kids today in so many ways because parents don't do the things they used to. We'd step out of line and get a quick clip from the old man. If we stepped out of line in a car, someone would see us and it would get back to the local copper - size 14 coming up and a lecture like you wouldn't believe.

More kids today have no idea, no respect and wouldn't have a clue what responsibility meant which is why these programs need to be addressed in school. They need to be rolled out in ALL high schools Australia wide.

[Serial_Fool]

Scaring new drivers with pictures of horrific injuries while not spending a single cent on training drivers to PREVENT these injuries isn't a program I'd want to fund.

They are useless, much like the cigarette adverts that show all the rotten lungs. Do they really think that we don't know the consequences?

[LG17]

Originally Posted by Serial_Fool

Scaring new drivers with pictures of horrific injuries while not spending a single cent on training drivers to PREVENT these injuries isn't a program I'd want to fund.

They are useless, much like the cigarette adverts that show all the rotten lungs. Do they really think that we don't know the consequences?

The programs need to run in conjunction - one won't work without the other.

[xxx000]

there are countless programs aimed at young drivers yet no proof that any of them actually reduce road trauma or change the attitude of young drivers

what we actually need is one program, and one only, that does work not duplication of untested and unproven ones

[dave351cid]

wont be long until cutback cambell runs out of things to cut. there isnt a day goes by when you dont hear of something new that they are closing up.

it has always jokingly been said that qld is 10 years behind the rest of australia. the rate we are going this year we will be 50 years behind by christmas. unbelievable.

[Itsme]

Oh well more government cuts, nothing unusual.
For your kids just make sure you teach them to drive safely....I taught my two and they are doing fine.

[xisled]

I went to a private school here in Vic and we only got a lecture about driving after my mate done a massive stand still in the long driveway. But my gf at the time, she went to a public school got some sort of class in driver safety for 100 minutes every second week for a siemister.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by TC200six

My year level did this back in year 12. All students in the year level combined together in the performance space to be given a lecture from members of the fire brigade. After the lecture, a girl in my class said it scared her so much she didn't want to get into a car anymore.

I didn't find it that bad though. A year before, my year level was offered an excursion to the Chandler Sports center where the Rotary club has its own driver education program. One of the rotational activities involved a cop showing a video which was full of crash victims I'm sure were dead, including an infant in a baby capsule that looked dead too. I think that was more disturbing to watch than what the firies showed us.

i hope your not suggesting that its too harsh, or its fair that its deleted for our youths. Because thats garbage. This is just a cost cutting scam by the powers at be...the funds will no doubt be directed somewhere that generates revenue.
Its not even HUMANE this sort of thing. (making our kids miss out on this sort of education) Young people NEED to be SCARED of cars and what happens when you abuse or FORGET TO RESPECT them.
These latest cost cutting scams by the gov are way to harsh. My wife has just been "let go" from her job in government DISABILITY SERVICES. They changed a legislation 1 week before she recieved her notice...which prevented her from recieving 8weeks plus other bonuses by extending the timelimit for the benifits.(thats cutting a looong story short)
Oh and the person that got to keep her job over my wifes, was friends with a boss two tiers up and despite having 2months on the job as oppossed to 4 years ...was given the job. tell me thats not dodgy

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Serial_Fool

Scaring new drivers with pictures of horrific injuries while not spending a single cent on training drivers to PREVENT these injuries isn't a program I'd want to fund.

They are useless, much like the cigarette adverts that show all the rotten lungs. Do they really think that we don't know the consequences?

we know....but teens either dont have a clue or dont care. Both myself and my wife both remember this program done with the police and fireies...and both agree it was not only extremely memorable....but enlightening. THOSE PICS YOU SEE ON THE NEWS AND IN MAGAZINES AFRE REAL DEAD PEOPLE...not what these lucky school kids get to see.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by trublu

Oh well more government cuts, nothing unusual.
For your kids just make sure you teach them to drive safely....I taught my two and they are doing fine.

im sure youd feel better knowing there friends and other young drivers they pass on the road have the same enlightenment as your kids.

[TC200six]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

i hope your not suggesting that its too harsh, or its fair that its deleted for our youths. Because thats garbage. This is just a cost cutting scam by the powers at be...the funds will no doubt be directed somewhere that generates revenue.
Its not even HUMANE this sort of thing. (making our kids miss out on this sort of education) Young people NEED to be SCARED of cars and what happens when you abuse or FORGET TO RESPECT them.
These latest cost cutting scams by the gov are way to harsh. My wife has just been "let go" from her job in government DISABILITY SERVICES. They changed a legislation 1 week before she recieved her notice...which prevented her from recieving 8weeks plus other bonuses by extending the timelimit for the benifits.(thats cutting a looong story short)
Oh and the person that got to keep her job over my wifes, was friends with a boss two tiers up and despite having 2months on the job as oppossed to 4 years ...was given the job. tell me thats not dodgy

I never suggested any program was too harsh in any way. Kids do need to be shown what the consequences are when they abuse their privileges of controlling a motor car and I was not satisfied when I found out it was to be scrapped. I thought it was an enjoyable experience and showing disturbing images are only a small part of driver education programs.

[Serial_Fool]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

we know....but teens either dont have a clue or dont care. Both myself and my wife both remember this program done with the police and fireies...and both agree it was not only extremely memorable....but enlightening. THOSE PICS YOU SEE ON THE NEWS AND IN MAGAZINES AFRE REAL DEAD PEOPLE...not what these lucky school kids get to see.

But it won't let you become a better driver, no skills are being taught. The purpose is to scare you into accepting unreasonable fines and speed limits.

[4.0i_SiX]

In my opinion they don't Give a flying *!%$ about road safety so why would they bother funding it. It doesn't raise revenue, oops I mean save lives like speed cameras do.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Serial_Fool

But it won't let you become a better driver, no skills are being taught. The purpose is to scare you into accepting unreasonable fines and speed limits.

Um why would you be scared into breaking the speed limit?
not following the logic...

This program isnt about better driving, its about showing young drivers the consequences of their actions.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Um why would you be scared into breaking the speed limit?
not following the logic...

This program isnt about better driving, its about showing young drivers the consequences of their actions.

exactly...some people dont think i swear.
And just because WE know they dont care about a set of courses that make them no revenue...doesnt mean they dont work or arent needed.

Doesnt matter anyway...looks like the ones here who dodnt think it matters that they are taught....your kids will learn the hard way....when they are wrapped around a pole covered in there mates blood and screams. THEN..IF they survive theyl learn to respect driving and cars...

[4.0i_SiX]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

exactly...some people dont think i swear.
And just because WE know they dont care about a set of courses that make them no revenue...doesnt mean they dont work or arent needed.

Doesnt matter anyway...looks like the ones here who dodnt think it matters that they are taught....your kids will learn the hard way....when they are wrapped around a pole covered in there mates blood and screams. THEN..IF they survive theyl learn to respect driving and cars...

Just for the record, my comment was tongue in cheek. It's absolute bullcrap that they scrap programs like this, it really does prove that they dont really care.

[flappist]

I wonder if they are scrapping a plan that was not working and might replace it with one that more is more practical and less "Brothers Grimm".

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by flappist

I wonder if they are scrapping a plan that was not working and might replace it with one that more is more practical and less "Brothers Grimm".

Considering the continual "we are totally broke, lets sack everyone/ scrap all projects" mentality its highly doubtful.