A total of 1600 school students from across the state's western region have taken part in a youth road safety awareness program in Dubbo this week.
From Monday 27 July 2026 to Wednesday 29 July 2026, the 'Dare to Be Aware' program took place for the third year running at the Dubbo Showground.
The program was created in partnership with NSW Police Force and NSW Ambulance, and is supported by Fire and Rescue NSW, VRA Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, Service NSW, and Corrective Services NSW.
NSW Police Force Superintendent Tim Chinn, Orana Mid Western Police District, said Dare to Be Aware aimed to prevent and reduce youth road trauma by educating school-aged students approaching licensure.
"The goal is to lower fatality and injury rates among young drivers by addressing risk-taking behaviours such as distracted driving, inattention, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, and driver fatigue," Superintendent Chinn said.
"It's about empowering our young drivers to make safer choices to protect themselves, their passengers, and the wider community."
Superintendent Chinn said the program had grown exponentially since its inception.
"When the program commenced three years ago in Wellington, 300 students attended – now we have a total of 1600 students joining us for the program this week in Dubbo," he said.
"To see 30 schools taking part from Bourke, Cobar, Mudgee, Molong, Dubbo and many other places this year is truly commendable.
"The event continues to grow in popularity among schools who see the value in educating students to help prevent and reduce youth road trauma."
Across the three days, students were able to witness a road crash scenario with input from NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, and VRA Rescue NSW, demonstrating the daily realities faced by first responders, among a raft of other learning opportunities.
Chief Superintendent Lauren Mansell, NSW Ambulance Associate Director Clinical Operations for Western NSW, said Dare to Be Aware continued to generate positive learning outcomes for young people.
"NSW Ambulance is proud to partner with our emergency services to help support the learning and education of the students here this week," Chief Superintendent Mansell said.
"Everyone has the potential to make an enormous impact based on a single decision they make on the roads – not only for them, but for their families, friends and other road users as well.
"It's pleasing to see such an impressive turnout this week and a shared understanding of the scenarios our emergency service personnel face on a regular basis."
Dare to Be Aware is scheduled to run again in 2027, set to make a positive impact on even more soon-to-be drivers across the western region.
