The annual mock crash demonstration returned this week and was viewed by over 400 Year 10 students from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas at the new Parkes State Emergency Service Unit in Boyd Circuit.
Eight local high schools along with the OCTEC Transition to Work Program attendees in Parkes and Forbes, took part in this year's NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program, which includes a pre classroom lesson, the live mock crash demonstration and a follow-up classroom lesson.
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the purpose of the mock crash demonstration is to show young drivers what happens when a crash occurs.
"The mock crash demonstration started with a short video that set the scene about how the crash occurred and introduced the youth actors. Then the curtains opened, and the audience watched as the youth actors called '000' for help. When emergency service personnel arrived, they were confronted with two severely injured trapped passengers, one dead passenger and an emotional driver.
"The mock crash demonstration concluded with recorded victim impact statements which highlighted what life has been like for the driver, her surviving passengers and their families nine months on. The videos included point of view footage of what happened at the Police station and hospital.
"The students were all glued to the car and the actors - you could hear a pin drop. I think the message really hit home to them about the trauma involved in car crashes because it was so very realistic.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in putting this mock car crash demonstration together - it's a real team effort and I couldn't have done this without your support and assistance. Thanks to Westlime, Regency Medical, the McMasters, Parkes Auto Wreckers, Felton Industries, Parkes High School's Counsellor and Chaplin, Red Bend Catholic College's Counsellor, Lehni Milford, Lacey Ticehurst, Joshua King, Daniel Heard, Senior Constable Brett Ryan, Senior Constable Natalie Rolfe, Constable Rebekah O'Connor, Constable Lucas Bravenboer, Rebecca Medd, Mitchell Johns, Mirabella Creek, Kim Palmer, Leanne Field, Jeff Field, David Law, Matthew Hando, Jeremy Head, Gail Alchin, Caitlin Goman, Glen Morgan, Sherry Morgan, CCT Productions, Chloe Browne, Lexi Herden, Marshall Munn and Abigail Heard," Ms Suitor said.
The program has been running since 2009. Over that period there has been a 27% reduction in crashes on local roads involving a young driver (17 - 25 years old).
Follow-up classroom lessons are being held over the next few weeks.
