Rotary's message on road safety
TEENAGERS are gearing up for a crash course in driver awareness later this month as the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program returns to the Clarence Valley for 2012.
Run by volunteers from Rotary clubs across the Valley, this year RYDA will educate 400 kids aged 16-18 years over two days, with the goal of reducing injury and death rates on the road.
Maclean Rotary Club president John King has been involved with the program for three years and believes it should be compulsory for all young people to take part, both before and after they get their licence.
"Honestly, I believe we've got to educate kids that a motor car can be a lethal weapon," Mr King said.
"Some kids think they know it all, but by the end of the course we hope they realise they don't."
The program will include interactive sessions, a ride in a driving instructor's car and a confronting DVD.
Participants will also hear talks from the police and crash survivors.
The course will be held in Yamba on August 23 and 24.
