As part of Road Safety Week, Burdekin Catholic High School welcomed firefighters Ashley Ryder from Ayr Fire Station and Alex Diorietes from Kirwan Fire and Rescue Station for an engaging Road Attitudes and Action Planning (RAAP) presentation last Wednesday.
RAAP is a free road safety program delivered by operational firefighters, designed for Year 11 and 12 students across Queensland. With around 20 years of delivering the program in the Burdekin region, the firefighters bring first-hand experience of the consequences of road crashes, responding to more than 22,000 incidents statewide each year.
"Coming from this community where I see the impacts of road trauma, it makes it more important for myself to provide these young drivers with options and make them understand that if they make a poor choice behind the wheel, the consequences that follow will be life changing," said Ryder.
Last week's sessions focused on the “Fatal 5” risks—speeding, fatigue, inattention, alcohol, and other substances—and the importance of planning ahead, whether as a driver or passenger. The presentation combined interactive discussions with multimedia resources, including eye-opening videos, keeping the roughly 40 students engrossed throughout.
"We use the Fatal 5 with scenarios... to give [young drivers] real life consequences of when drivers do not make good choices," highlighted Ryder. "The most common Fatal 5 for this age group is Inattention and Distraction with phones, we give them ways and options so the temptation to use their phone is eliminated.
The students actively participated, asking questions and reflecting on scenarios. Parents and teachers have praised the program, noting that conversations about road safety often continue at home.
"I had feedback recently that one young lady who attended a recent presentation used a prompt from a scenario within the presentation to stop one of her friends from driving under the influence. That is a big message we push: 'look out for your Mates,'" said Ryder.
By combining practical advice with real-world experience, RAAP helps young people build confidence, awareness, and the skills to make safer choices on and off the road.
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