The CoolHeads Young Driver Program, aimed predominantly at 16- to 25-year-olds and their families, provides a realistic, interactive and confronting look at the consequences of unsafe driving.
The program is hosted by Victoria Police and supported by Moira Shire Council.
Wangaratta Senior Constable Hayley McDonald said the evening would feature presentations from the Major Collision Investigation Unit, a Cobram magistrate, an SES volunteer and a lived-experience speaker.
“We get all of those different perspectives from people on the front line or people that have some sort of involvement with road trauma,” she said.
“It's really easy, especially for young people, to have that opinion where ‘it'll never happen to me, I'm a good person’.
“But a lot of the collisions that we talk about are good, everyday people making one silly decision in the heat of the moment.”
Cobram Highway Patrol Senior Constable Jason Devlin said early intervention was key to reducing the chances of serious accidents.
“Awareness, knowledge of road rules and what’s expected of them as drivers is definitely beneficial as they get older,” he said.
“We see far too many young people making silly mistakes — overcrowded cars, acting dangerously — and it always ends in tears.”
Sen Constable McDonald said unsafe driving was not always about speeding, with drivers also needing to consider road conditions and remain aware of their surroundings.
“It's not necessarily around our crime ... it’s around that one decision at the time that’s ended in tears,” she said.
“The main message is that we want everyone to make it home safely, and good decision-making is imperative for this to happen.”
The CoolHeads Young Driver Program will be held at the Cobram Civic Centre on Wednesday, October 14, from 6pm to 8pm.
A free barbecue will be provided by the Cobram Lions Club from 5.15pm to 6pm.
The event is free, but registrations are essential. To register, visit: tinyurl.com/yc2wwpjc
7°C