Speeding is a major factor in the number and severity of crashes. With the end of school holidays approaching, school zones will be back in force.
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As a vehicle’s speed increases, so does the distance travelled during the driver’s reaction time and the distance needed to stop.
“Motorists often find the 40km/h school zones frustrating, yet they are so important and have proved to be a highly effective way of keeping children safe” said Greg Rappo, RYDA Program Director.
Road Safety Education is a not-for-profit organisation intent on reducing road trauma among young drivers, by educating high school students through its highly acclaimed RYDA program.
RYDA provides powerful workshops to change the way young people think about road safety including the impact of speeding. Sessions include a high impact, practical demonstration of the effects of speed on stopping distances.
“There has been a 30 per cent reduction in casualties in school zones across the country since they were introduced in 2001,” Mr Rappo said.
At the time of day when the speed zones come into effect early morning and mid afternoon, students are often distracted – catching up with class mates at the start of the day and tired and perhaps not fully concentrating after a full day in the classroom.
“Schools zones are not just about speed, drivers need to be extra vigilant managing distractions. Those most at risk during these periods are our children, their parents, teachers and other school staff. They are directly in harm's way”.
As your speed increases - so does the distance you travel while your brain is processing information and reacting to it – and so does the distance you need to stop. The average time it takes for most drivers to react to a risky situation on the road is 1.5 seconds.
A driver who is fatigued or distracted (for example, using a mobile phone or affected by drugs or alcohol) may take as long as three critical seconds to react.
Travelling at lower speeds improves a driver's ability to stop and avoid crashes, especially in areas of high pedestrian activity.
At RYDA, students attend six interactive sessions at a dedicated venue over the course of a school day. In small peer groups, they are challenged to change the way they think about road safety; participate in a stopping distance demonstration, devising personalised strategies, gaining an understanding of their individual risk profile and getting tips from road safety experts on how to protect themselves, their friends and family.
RSE has strong support from corporate partners BOC, Toyota Australia, Bosch and Bridgestone, along with Rotary Clubs, whose volunteers co-ordinate the program in their local area.
School zones will be back in operation from Monday, April 24. Keep an eye out for flashing school zone signs and observe speed limits around schools and buses.
Details: www.rse.org.au