Auto insurer RACQ is set to roll out a docudrama program to provide students in north Queensland high schools real-life, graphic lessons in road safety.
David Contarini, RACQ head of community and education, said senior students at Thuringowa State High School would be the first in the region to watch a re-enactment of a fatal car crash which involved Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance, and a local funeral director.
“Last year across the state, 73 young people aged between 16 and 24 years old died on our roads, and that’s a statistic this program aims to turn around,” Contarini said. “Our docudrama program shows teenagers confronting … realistic scenes of a group of teens involved in what turns out to be a fatal car crash. We present them with a catalyst to have a discussion about road safety and give them the tools to take into real-life scenarios. We don’t want them to leave docudrama scared – we want them to leave empowered to speak up and do something if they’re not feeling safe or comfortable when in a car or behind the wheel.”
Contrarini said students need to learn about the deadly consequences of irresponsible and dangerous behaviour on Queensland roads at a critical time in their development.
“More than 43 people died in road crashes in the Townsville region in 2017, so given it’s Queensland Road Safety Week, it’s fitting we all take a moment to think about our behaviour on the roads, especially young people,” Contarini said. “If we’re able to turn this horror road toll around we need to start with our youngest and most vulnerable drivers.”
