Blue Datto launch program in the Hawkesbury

The program follows a hugely successful pilot run by the foundation at Bede Polding earlier in the year.

The Vassallo family formed the Blue Datto Foundation following the devastating loss of their son and brother Phillip, a former Bede Polding student, in a road accident in Penrith last year.

Philips sister Lauren Northen said they developed the program based off a Melbourne program which focuses on peer mentoring, discussion and the rights of passenger safety.

“We ran our pilot at Bede Polding based on a program from Melbourne to trial its effectiveness and really liked it so wrote out own based on that,” Ms Northen said.

“The program is based around discussions and concentrates on the passengers – how to get out of situations when they don’t feel safe and understanding they do have the right to feel safe in a car.

“We’re excited to launch program in the Hawkesbury, that’s what we wanted and Hawkesbury High Schools have supported us from the beginning.”

Year 10 students Renee Lam, Ian Dunsmore, Sam Reurts and Ashlee Scott took part in Wednesdays program and said the experience was an eye opener.

“I wasn’t aware of the statistics around the accidents that happen in a persons first 6 months of driving,” Ashlee said.

“It’s important for kids our age to take part in these programs as we are just starting to get our L’s and get behind the wheel so we need to know the risks,” Sam added.

Renee said a lot of the roads in the Hawkesbury were dangerous and taking part in any safety experience was beneficial for teens her age.

“Every road out here is different unlike city roads, and there is a also a lot of wildlife making it more dangerous,” she said.

“Driving alone is really scary and a lot of the roads out are more difficult to drive,” Ian added.

The Blue Datto program will be taken to several schools and community groups across Sydney and NSW. 

To find out more visit their webpage http://bluedatto.org.au/