RAC bstreetsmart excursion

RAC bstreetsmart is for year 10 to 12 students and features a crash scene re-enactment attended by the emergency services, just as it would occur at a real crash site. Students also have the opportunity to listen to speakers who have been directly impacted by road trauma and talk with emergency services personnel.

The purpose of bstreetsmart is to reduce the fatality and injury rates of young people by promoting safe behaviour as drivers, riders and passengers.

There were 3 main lessons I got out of attending the bstreetsmart excursion, which I will always remember when driving. These are:

  • The consquences of not paying attention. On the road it is crucial that you are 100% focused because even the smallest of errors can results in fatal accidents. When you are driving you need to pay attention to other road users, road conditions, your speed and position and the road rules for where you are. This means no multi-tasking, you always need to expect the unexpected and that requires your full attention.
  • The negative effects of alcohol on an individuals driving ability. Alcohol slows your brain so that you can’t respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly, this means that when driving a car your reaction speed is too slow. this means that it is very likely for you to be involved in an incident. So the better option is for someone else who isn’t under the influence of alcohol to take you.
  • The extent of the distracted driving issue among young people. It is the main reason for majority of road related incidents and can have a massive impact on the lives of not only the driver, but friends and loved ones. I also learnt that distracted driving is not only using a phone in a car, but can be caused by many other factors such as; loud music, passengers, eating and drinking, and even simply grabbing something from the seat beside you.

fatigue

Fatigue driving has dire consequences and between 2012 and 2016, 21% of regional road fatalities involved fatigue driving as a contributing factor. Early warning signs of fatigue driving include:

  • Wandering thoughts
  • Missing a gear
  • Breaking late
  • Slowing unintentionally
  • Yawning
  • Blinking more

One piece of advice I would pass on to young drivers above all else is to always have a driver that you can swap with on long drives. This way both people can have a break from driving, and it can prevent fatigue driving. It also means that you have someone to talk to and keep you awake, rather than being mesmerised by the long country roads. This person also may be able to spot your signs of fatigue driving before you do and is a great way to avoid fatigue driving. Having an extra driver also allows you to have a 20-minute power nap in the passenger seat, which is also effective to preventing fatigue driving. Most fatigue related crashes occur on regional roads and long drives, so it is key to plan which prevention methods you will use while on these drives.

pledge

I pledge to always remember the consequences of fatigue and distracted driving, and implement the proper strategies to prevent accidents caused by them. To prevent accidents I will take breaks on long road trips, always get an adequate amount of sleep before driving and have my phone on do no disturb.

I pledge to never use my phone while driving, and to always be focused on the task at hand. To do this I will limit the diractions from my friends or family, and take action against the distraction if necessary. I will also never drink and drive while over the legal limit of blood alcohol, and to never put my passengers or myself at risk. These are the most common issues that face young drivers today, and they also contribute to many fatalities and incidents every day.

I want to make the road a safer place to be, and and reduce the amount of accidents caused by young drivers across Australia. So I find that it is essential to not do these to prevent any accidents I may cause that could hurt myself or others. I also never want to put other people at risk because of my reckless behaviour. I will stick to these commitments by putting my phone away while driving, getting someone else who hasn’t been under the influence of alchohol to drive me if I am, and always making sure I am not distracted or tired on the road when driving.