Defensive training puts safe driving in the front seat

Rio Tinto's Kestrel Mine is investing $40,000 in road safety, sponsoring defensive driver training for all local Year 12 students.

Professional driving instructors will give the students theoretical and practical lessons in driver behaviour, car handling and emergency situations.

About 150 students from Marist College, Capella and Emerald State High Schools, are expected to take up the theory lessons, following the success of a similar programme last year which was nominated for the 2008 Queensland Road Safety Awards.

Tony Lennox, general manager operations Kestrel Mine, said the defensive driver training reflected Rio Tinto's commitment to safety.
"Young people are most at risk of an accident; unfortunately the gap between their experience levels and their confidence on the road can have deadly consequences," Mr Lennox said.

"This programme is not just about teaching these students about coping with emergencies, it is about giving them the knowledge and attitude to try and avoid placing themselves in potentially dangerous situations in the first place.

"Safer young drivers means safer roads for all local residents, this step is about reducing likely accidents and injuries for all Emerald and Capella road users.

"The lessons the students learn, about being patient, not driving beyond their abilities, and observing the fatal four (seatbelts, alcohol, speed and fatigue) are lessons which all drivers can benefit from a reminder of.

Paul Wood, Principal of Emerald State High School, said he had not heard of any serious accidents involving his students who participated in last year's course.

"Every day we strive to improve our students' wellness and their successes, to be able to carry themselves into the future; being safe on the roads is critical to that," Mr Wood said.

"What this programme with Rio Tinto does for us, it gives the students and their parents a real gift of confidence and you can't put a price on that. You can see it on their parents' faces when you talk to them, that they're giving them this before they leave school."

The theory classes will be held at Marist College and Emerald State High School in October and November.

Practical sessions will be held in late October and early November at the Emerald Showgrounds with the first sessions held today (21 October).

Media contact: Nathan Scholz (07) 3361-4354 / 0417 613 174

Media release - Defensive training puts safe driving in the front seat [PDF: 17 KB]