- A + A print
Home > About NRMA > Media Centre > Press Releases > 2008 Releases >  

12,000 Students To Do Crash Course


12,000 Students To Do Crash Course

Author: NRMADate: 12 May 2008

More than 12,000 students from 110 high schools across NSW and ACT will experience the harsh reality of a car crash at Australia's largest Youth and Road Trauma Forum to be held by NRMA Motoring & Services and Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) Westmead Hospital at Acer Arena in Homebush from tomorrow.

NRMA President, Alan Evans said the response to the forum has been overwhelming with the number of high schools throughout NSW and ACT signed up to attend the three day event breaking through the century mark for the first time.

"Youth and Road Trauma Forum students will see a realistic reconstructed car crash involving victims, police, ambulance and fire personnel," Mr Evans said.

"Too many of our young people are injured or die from car accidents. Our goal is to increase public awareness of the extent of road trauma related injuries and the short-term and long-term implications of these on the victim, their families and the community.

"We want to show young people the cold, hard reality of road crashes".

SWAHS Westmead Hospital's Trauma Service and NRMA have held the Youth and Road Trauma Forum for the past three years in response to alarming statistics relating to young people and road crashes and have been inundated with schools wanting to participate this year.

Julie Seggie, Trauma Coordinator, SWAHS Westmead Hospital said the 12,000 students would all spend one full day learning about crashes from demonstrations on crash dynamics and rescue, vehicle stopping distances and active exhibits.

"Each person attending this forum will react in different ways and take home a different message. As long as we are able to touch at least some of these kids and change their behaviour by preventing them taking a risk that could kill them or their friends, then we will have achieved at least one of our goals" Ms Seggie said.

Interactive exhibits to help students understand more about crash prevention and what’s involved during crashes and crash rescues will be provided by:

  • NRMA's Mobile Member Centre and Safer Driving School
  • Volvo Truck Roll Over Simulator
  • NSW Police, Fire Brigade and NSW Ambulance Service
  • SWAHS Westmead Hospital's Emergency Department, Brain Injury and Organ Donation units
  • CareFlight
  • St John Ambulance Service
  • Red Cross
  • Think Twice Program & the Brain Injury Association
  • Trent Driving Simulation
  • Subaru Australia
  • Community Drug Action Team
  • NSW Wheelchair Sports

NRMA will also provide young people with information on a road service designed specifically for them - Free2Go.

NRMA and SWAHS Westmead Hospital's Youth and Road Trauma Forum will be held Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May from 9:30am - 2:30pm at the Acer Arena in Homebush, Sydney.

Motoring testimony image

There are now more reasons to smile. While Roadside Assistance remains at our heart, NRMA Membership now means so much more.

Listen to our Members Join Now

Quick links

  • Who we are

  • What we stand for

  • What we do

Join thousands of others following NRMA

  • rss

    RSS

  • rss

    Twitter