Many high school students in the Hawkesbury know someone who has been involved in a fatal or close to fatal car accident.
None are immune to what could happen on the roads and Hawkesbury Highway Patrol officer Sergeant John Breaden knows this all too well.
In his time at the Hawkesbury, the officer has attended countless fatal and serious crashes which involve young P-plate drivers or those who have just moved onto their full licence.
Sadly, more than 36 motorists have been killed on Hawkesbury roads from 2009 to 2013, and 1244 have been injured, according to the Centre For Road Safety.
Drivers aged 17 to 24 are one of the state’s most at risk groups.
With the aim of reducing the number of crashes involving this group, Sargeant Breaden designed the Hawkesbury Young Driver Awareness program, which has been running for two years at Windsor Police Station.
The program aims to educate and introduce drivers to the latest safe driving techniques, which include how to scan for potential risks and hazards, recognise and reduce risky driving behaviour and understand the effects of speeding.
Sergeant Breaden and senior constable Steve Richards ran the program almost a fortnight ago for just under 100 parents and teenagers.
The three-hour presentation was full of realistic and confronting video re-enactments of crashes and heart-breaking statistics.
Kurrajong resident Darren Green attended the seminar with his daughter Shailee and described it as a no nonsense, straight to the point presentation.
‘‘It is something that we will discuss for a long time,’’ Mr Green said.
‘‘I have been a professional truck driver for the past 25 years and my aim is to come home safe. Last night taught me you are never too old or too good a driver to learn something new that just might save my life or someone else’s life.
‘‘We have both come away from the seminar with a new respect for both the road and the highway patrol. It’s now up to us to sharpen up our driving skills, respect the road rules and make the roads a safer place for everyone.’’
Glossodia resident Corey Taylor, 15, attended with his mother Juanita because he knows first-hand the tragedies accidents can bring to families and friends.
‘‘It was an eye-opener for me and a lesson I will take with me when I get my learner licence this year,’’ he said.
The three-hour program discusses crash risk, reaction times, drink driving, speeding, the effect of perception on driving, calculations of speed and distance, strategies for reducing risk and crash statistics.
If you’re interested in attending, the next course will be held on Friday, August 7. Send an email to HAWKDRIVER@police.nsw.gov.au.