This is why, according to the World Health Organisation, young drivers are significantly over-represented in road traffic accidents resulting in both injury and death. 

Following the fatal accident of a 17-year-old boy in Mittagong in 1998, members from the Rotary Club of Moss Vale conceptualised a program which sought to “change the attitude and behaviour of young drivers.” 

Wingecarribee Shire Road Safety Officer Melanie Lausz, said the commitment to the program had only grown over the past 19 years.  

“Each year the schools lock it into the schedule. We’re fortunate that local schools see the value in the program,” Ms Lausz said. 

Close to 600 year 11 students from five Southern Highlands schools attended the program over two days, participating in seminars with NSW Police Highway Patrol, NSW Ambulance, Highlands Drive Safe, drug and alcohol prevention charity – Youth Solutions and Tracy Duke, a mother from Shoalhaven who lost her son five years ago in a motorcycle accident. 

“I found purpose in my pain by sharing my story. My first year, I went through about five boxes of tissues, but it does get a little easier. I call it my yearly counselling session,” Ms Duke said. 

NSW Ambulance Officer Peter Donnelly said his interactive seminar was less about ‘scaring’ students with the worst-case scenario, and more about educating them with their responsibilities and vulnerabilities as drivers. 

“Statistically, motor vehicle trauma comes in at number seven on our list of what we most respond to, but around this area, there are at least a couple every week,” Mr Donnelly said. 

“I’m not trying to use the shock factor, it’s not about scaring them, it’s just a bit of a reality check and this group have been particularly attentive over the past two days,” he said. 

U Turn the Wheel is funded through Mittagong RSL, McDonalds and Illawarra Mutual Building Society community grants in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Moss Vale and Wingecarribee Shire Council.  

Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Moss Vale, Probus and VOLWING also helped facilitate the day.