Road Safety

Young drivers aged 17 to 19 are 3 times more likely to have a crash resulting in death than drivers aged 20 years or older so it’s important to plan to make every journey safe this Leavers.

Here are some top tips to make sure you get home in one piece:

  1. Make sure your car is safe to drive and check the tyre pressure before you hit the road.
  2. Get at least 7.5 hours sleep the night before you head off. Stop and take a break every two hours and swap drivers if you can.
  3. School’s over and there are no deadlines on Leavers. So take your time, don’t go above the speed limit and don’t rush to overtake.
  4. Don’t use your phone while driving – unless you want a $1,000 dent in your Leavers budget.
  5. If you’re of drinking age (and even if you’re not), don’t drink and drive. Decide early if you or one of your mates will be the designated driver, or better yet, plan not to drive. Don’t forget, the same drink driving laws apply to eScooters.
  6. If you are walking or riding a bike or scooter, be seen by wearing light or reflective clothing.
  7. Buckle up for the week. Literally. Wear your seatbelt. It could save your life.

For more information about staying safe on the road this Leavers, visit Staying safe on WA roads (www.wa.gov.au)

What to do if you see an accident on the road:

  • Check it’s safe before you help, especially on roads. (Danger in DRSABCD)
  • Call Triple Zero (000) – The St John communications officer will talk you through First Aid and will help keep you calm. (Send for help in DRSABCD)
  • Check and open the airways of those involved in the crash by a simple tilt of the head – a closed airway is the most common cause of death. (Airway in DRSABCD)

Be prepared:

  • Download St John’s First Responder App – it provides a GPS location when a Triple Zero (000) call is activated through the app, especially useful when you don’t know the road, and has free First Aid guides.
  • Spend 30 minutes completing a free first aid course designed for new drivers called  Click to Save– it may save a life.
  • Consider purchasing a first aid kit for the car.