Cool Heads presenters and emergency services representatives came together at St Joseph’s College to speak about the realities of road trauma and the importance of safe driving.
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One poor decision behind the wheel can change a life in an instant.
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That was the message delivered to 160 people at the annual Cool Heads road safety event ― with 57 per cent of attendees aged between 15 and 25.
Leading Senior Constable Shane Roberts said the event’s goal was to reinforce that getting behind the wheel was both a privilege ― and a responsibility.
“Life is just so precious, and with one poor decision, it can be taken away instantly,” he said.
On September 9, a powerful lineup of speakers at St Joseph's College brought the message to life — each sharing their own first-hand experience of serious crashes.
Lived-experience speaker Nelson Smith gave a candid account of a crash he was involved in, detailing the decisions made that day and the consequences that ultimately saw him imprisoned.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill from the Major Collision Investigation Unit also discussed his experiences attending the “worst of the worst collisions” in the state ― as well as reporting them to the coroner.
These presentations drew some of the strongest reactions from the audience.
“The crowd was just in the palm of their hands when they spoke,” Leading Sen Constable Roberts said.
“These stories are very impactful, and very real. It's as real as it gets.”
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill from the Major Collision Investigation Unit speaks to students at St Joseph’s College Echuca during the Cool Heads road safety event.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Rushworth SES volunteers Tracy and Hailey offered a deeply personal perspective — speaking openly about the emotional toll of attending serious crashes, and the particular dread of arriving on scene to find someone you know.
The event also recorded its highest number of court-ordered attendees, with nearly three times as many people attending through driving-related diversion programs compared with previous years.
Leading Sen Constable Roberts said the increase was a positive sign that magistrates were recognising the value of the program.
Now in its third year, Cool Heads is gaining momentum — with growing calls from attendees and the broader community for this style of road safety education to become mandatory for young people before they get behind the wheel.
For Leading Sen Constable Roberts, the message remains simple: one decision can have consequences that last a lifetime.
“Through a poor decision, this can literally happen to anyone,” he said.
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