Spike in road fatalities prompts Blue Datto to launch an online program targeting at-risk youth
Spike in road fatalities prompts Blue Datto to launch an online program targeting at-risk youth
06 Apr 2021
A 30% spike in road fatalities of young people has driven WestConnex | Transurban community partner Blue Datto to launch ‘Safe Yourself’, a new life-saving online road safety program targeting at-risk teenagers.
Blue Datto Foundation CEO Rebecca Palser said the online program has been developed to ensure vital education remains accessible to vulnerable young people, who are some of the most at-risk people on NSW roads.
“In a time when traditional face-to-face road safety education programs and opportunities for practical driver experience have been severely impacted by health restrictions, Blue Datto, through the continued support of WestConnex | Transurban has expanded to the digital world,” Ms Palser said.
“While the number of road deaths in NSW dropped significantly in 2020, sadly fatalities in the 17-20 year old age group increased by 30%.
“Over the past 10 years, road trauma has also been the leading cause of death in people ages 17 to 25.”
“It’s a challenging time and we want to make sure young people aren’t missing out on potentially life-saving education to keep themselves, their mates and their communities safe as they approach one of the riskiest times of their lives.”
Aimed at high school students, ‘Safe Yourself’ is a series of interactive online modules which provide teenagers with practical skills and strategies to reduce their risk as a driver or passenger.
“This online platform will enable thousands of students across NSW to take part in the program, no matter where they are.
“It’s giving them the skills they need to make safer decisions and understand risks so that we can spare families from the never-ending heartache of losing a loved one in a preventable crash on our roads.”
Westconnex | Transurban today joined Blue Datto and 200 students from Bethlehem Catholic College, Ashfield, which marked 25,000 students participating in its award-winning road safety program – ‘Keeping Safe’.
“WestConnex has had a successful partnership with Blue Datto for more than three years which has enabled thousands of students from across Greater and Western Sydney to gain access to its critical road safety programs,” Ms Hitchcock said.
“We are delighted to support Blue Datto’s move to develop an online program which will complement its face-to-face ‘Keeping Safe’ program, ensuring even more at-risk youth are empowered with the skills they need to stay safe.”
Aimed at Year 10 and Year 11 students, schools can gain access to the ‘Safe Yourself’ online program for their students by contacting the Blue Datto Foundation via email at info@bluedatto.org.au or by registering at www.bluedatto.org.au.
For more information about ‘Safe Yourself’ visit: https://www.bluedatto.org.au/safe-yourself-welcome
About Blue Datto
Launched in 2015 the Blue Datto Foundation is a not-for-profit based in Western Sydney dedicated to reducing the incidence and impact of road trauma in NSW.
Blue Datto was established by the Vassallo family following the death of 17-year-old Philip Vassallo in 2014 in a crash in which both drivers were red ‘P’ platers.
