NRMA brings road safety knowledge to Sydney kids

Sydney adolescents will be the focus of a road safety exhibition - NRMA RoadZone -which opens today offering life-saving advice for nine-14 year-olds.
President of NRMA Motoring & Services, Mr Ross Turnbull,
said NRMA RoadZone was a valuable tool to educate children about
the dangers of the road.
Mr Turnbull said NRMA was especially concerned that in 2002
around 50 per cent of admissions to Westmead Childrens Hospital
were road related.
In the Sydney region last year 1,292 road users aged 0-16
years were killed or injured, making up seven per cent of all road
casualties, Mr Turnbull said.
Thats why
NRMA RoadZone is important - we need to teach our young
people now how road safety education can save the lives of
themselves, their friends and family, Mr Turnbull said.
Mr Turnbull said
NRMA RoadZone , opened today by Professor Danny Cass from the
Childrens Hospital Westmead, aimed to reduce young driver deaths
and injuries by targeting 9-14 year olds.
Some of these children will be driving on our roads in only a
few years so it is essential that they are encouraged to start
thinking about road safety from an early age, Mr Turnbull said.
NRMA RoadZone is a fun, interactive exhibition to foster safe
road user behaviour in tomorrows drivers - before they get behind
the wheel of a car.
Mr Turnbull said the $2.5 million multi-media exhibit focused
on safety issues as they affect pedestrians, cyclists, passengers
and drivers by using interactive exhibits that depict real-life
experiences.
Students can conduct their own crash-dummy tests, identify
how cyclists and pedestrians can be more visible in traffic and how
a helmet can protect your head in the event of a crash, Mr Turnbull
said.
NRMA RoadZone addresses the effects of alcohol on driving
ability, the impact of peer pressure, the dangers of distractions
while driving. The exhibit demonstrates how behaviour on the road
can influence your chances of survival.
NRMA RoadZone was designed in conjunction with project
partner, Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre in
Canberra, which has an international reputation for developing
interactive, fun and educational exhibits.
Since its launch in September 1999 more than 200,000 students
have visited
NRMA RoadZone .
Questacons Deputy Director Programs, Mr Neil Hermes, said the
exhibition transforms traditional classroom lessons into a more
powerful and realistic learning experience - combining video and
digital imagery with clever interactive features.
"
NRMA RoadZone combines Questacon's expertise in building
world-class interactive exhibitions with NRMA's drive to make our
streets safer," Mr Hermes said.
NRMA RoadZone and Questacons Sports Quest is on display at
the State Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic Park till 14 December 2003.
School bookings can be arranged by contacting 0419 600
478.