Beyond 25 - Survive the drive

In an effort to raise road safety awareness, TAFE Queensland teacher Nathan Evans has been working in conjunction with Capalaba Police to deliver road safety messages through the Beyond 25 – Survive the Drive program.

The nine-week trial and development program commenced in August 2020 and was specifically aimed at TAFE Queensland trade students who will become regular road users, commuting to and from job sites.

TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech Business Manager Barry Evans said that the initiative came to life after a friendly game of basketball between Capalaba Police Officers and staff from the Alexandra Hills campus.

“A discussion took place about the many serious vehicle accidents in the Redland Bay area and the unfortunate number of road fatalities that have occurred,” Mr Evans said.

“A few years ago one of our students tragically passed away in a vehicle accident near our campus. The student was an only child and the impact on both the family, students, and the local region was devastating,” he said.

The Beyond 25 – Survive the Drive program involves local police talking to students about the Fatal Five behaviours which include drink and drug driving, fatigue, speeding, and using mobile phones while behind the wheel.

The officers provide students with real-life examples of fatal crashes and how they occurred. Students also hear how fatal accidents impacted the officers as well as the family and friends of the victims.

“We hope that the program can help to educate new drivers and stop the unnecessary waste of young lives on our roads,” Mr Evans said.

“The aim of this program is to deliver a message with impact about road safety to young people who are highly represented in serious traffic crashes and use education to teach them about the decisions they make behind the wheel,” he said.

A Beyond 25 – Survive the Drive video is now in production with funding from the Queensland Government and Queensland Police Service. After the success of the trial and development program, plans are in place for the initiative to be shared statewide across other TAFE Queensland campuses.