Background
In 1997, the Tamworth Young Driver’s Expo was developed from a need to address the alarming rise in casualty and fatality statistics involving young drivers between the ages 16 – 25 years in New South Wales and the Northern Region. The most practical way to address the issue was at a local community level, utilising where possible local resources.
The Tamworth Young Drivers Expo was an initiative between the NSW Police Service, NSW Ambulance Service, Department of Education and Training, Hunter New England Area Health, Roads and Traffic Authority and Tamworth Regional Council and provided these key stakeholders with the opportunity to reach the target group. Detailed discussions brought to light issues and areas where young people had insufficient opportunity to receive information which could assist them in making informed decisions about safe driving, drugs, alcohol and risk taking behaviours.
In 1998, the Tamworth Young Driver's Expo was held over a two day period, with only Tamworth schools attending and was the first of its kind in Northern NSW. Over the last fifteen years, the Expo has evolved to a three day event and now for the first time this year a four day event, involving over 1,000 students from Tamworth and the surrounding region. This year schools from Armidale, Walcha, Scone and Muswellbrook attended the expo for the first time. The program continues to be well supported by the schools and local community.
Target Group
The Young Drivers Expo is aimed at Year 11 students aged between 16 and 17 year age. These students are in the process of either getting their Learner or Provisional Licences and are at a maturity level where understanding and influence is at its greatest. Students attend from Tamworth, Barraba, Gunnedah, Manilla, Quirindi, Tenterfield, Armidale, Walcha, Scone and Muswellbrook and continued interest has been shown from other towns in the region.
Objectives
- to provide timely information for learner and provisional drivers on the issues of speed, inattention, fatigue, drugs, drink driving, insurance costs associated with motor vehicles, maintaining a safe vehicle, heavy vehicles awareness and possible outcomes of having a crash such as a brain injury and personal trauma
- to improve young driver’s awareness and perception of the risks and responsibilities associated with being a driver/passenger of a motor vehicle
- to increase awareness and knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving and the associated impact in the area of health, financial and social costs
- to encourage young people to plan ahead and look after their friends when socialising to minimise ‘risky’ choices
- to promote better communication between parents and young drivers and an appreciation of both parental and young driver expectations during the ‘learn to drive’ period
- to enhance road safety and drug education being taught in schools, mainly in the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum area
Young Driver’s Expo Program
The Tamworth Young Driver’s Expo program provides the framework for a coordinated approach from key stakeholders aimed at minimising the harms associated with alcohol, drugs, driving and other potentially risky behaviours. The Expo targets Year 11 students and as such the framework is consistent with the strategies outlined in the PDHPE Curriculum for senior high school students and is designed to reinforce Stage 5 learning outcomes and enhance Stage 6 learning outcomes.
The program has been running for fifteen years and has involved a range of strategies including support for the senior PDHPE curriculum and the compulsory DET Year 11 Crossroads Course, professional development for teachers and allied health professionals and incidental information transfer to parents and community members via attending students, teachers and presenters.
The Tamworth Young Driver’s Expo has been held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TRECC) for the past eleven years and is an excellent venue to conduct such an event. Given the location and size of the venue, it enables the Expo to conduct a variety of smaller group workshops or provide demonstrations to a large number of students at once.
Documents
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