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Road Safety Initiatives RewardedRoadSafe Victoria recently presented awards to Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon and Victoria Police retiring Sergeant Steve Johnson. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 11th September 2009 - Back to News Councillor Veronica Dowman, Chairperson of the South Gippsland RoadSafe Committee, said the awards were for their work on the Learning Driver Mentor (L2P) project and a range of other initiatives.
"RoadSafe Victoria has formally recognised the success of these initiatives to improve road safety in Bass Coast," explained Cr Dowman.
"Both Mr Laydon and Sgt Johnson have done some exceptional work and this is well deserved recognition of their contribution.
Cr Dowman said that Mr Laydon’s award recognised his dedication to Road Safety in the Eastern Region and within our Shire.
"Peter played a vital role in the restructuring of RoadSafe in Eastern Victoria and represented all regional councils in a State restructure," explained Cr Dowman.
"The programs that Peter has helped develop, including our L2P program, research on motorised mobility aides and the new Crash Vehicle Project, are the envy of other municipalities in Gippsland.
"The positive way Peter works with Road Safety issues and his enthusiasm for these projects is a major asset for Bass Coast."
Sgt Johnson’s award was for his work on the L2P project and his contribution to Road Safety across Gippsland.
"The L2P project in Bass Coast was the first to be launched in Victoria. Steve developed the procedures and the program from scratch and this model has now become the template for many other programs across the state," said Cr Dowman.
"His role as a mentor on other Gippsland projects, development of the New Arrivals Driver Education program in Gippsland and his work on Road Safety with the local Sudanese community has been outstanding.
"There is no doubt that Bass Coast is a leader in the field of Road Safety and the work of Peter and Steve is a major part of our success in this area," congratulated Cr Dowman.
Crash Vehicle Project
The latest Bass Coast Road Safe initiative – The Crash Vehicle Project - is already circulating in the community and will be officially launched in October 2009. Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Safety team, working with Victoria Police and the RACV, has driven the project.
"Regional crash data highlights that the biggest issue in our region is accidents where vehicles exceeding the speed limit, run off the road and crash into fixed objects," explained Mr Laydon.
"More young people die from road crashes than any other cause. Only 13 per cent of all licensed drivers are aged between 18-25, yet this age group accounts for 27 per cent of driver deaths.
"This is a tragedy for our young people and their families and we hope this program will help raise the awareness of the dangers of speeding and the impact it can have on people’s lives."
The Crash Vehicle Project includes a display of a badly damaged Holden SS Utility.
"This vehicle was driven by a 22 year old local and although he survived the crash, he is now living in a severely handicapped state," explained Mr Laydon.
"Most young people don’t consider what might happen if they speed. This example of a local boy and the impact his accident has had on his family, friends and community will hopefully bring home to them exactly what the risks are.
The Crash Vehicle Project will visit local communities, schools, sporting events, festivals and markets, reinforcing the dangers of speeding.
Background Information
L2P
The L2P initiative coincided with VicRoads’ Graduated Licensing System, which requires all learner drivers to complete a log book ensuring they get the 120 hours driving experience that is required by law.
The mentoring system is designed to help disadvantaged youth to meet this 120 hours driving requirement and ensure all young drivers get the opportunity to learn to drive and the help they need to complete their log books.
New Arrivals Driver Education
This initiative was the forerunner to the L2P program and came about following a request from the local Magistrate. Sudanese people were over-represented in court for driving related offenses and the Magistrate approached Police, Council and VicRoads to see if there was anything that could be done to reverse this alarming trend.
As a result a program was developed to assist Sudanese locals to obtain their learners permit and eventually a Victorian Driver Licence. The program began with a number of class room sessions where participants were given instruction on all aspects of using a motor vehicle. The second phase was driver training which evolved into the development of the L2P program.
Motorised Scooter Project
The Bass Coast SafeRoads committee has completed research into the use of motorised scooters. A report has been prepared to provide supporting data and recommendations for the use of local councils, RoadSafe organisations and VicRoads. It provides evidence to support regulation of motorised scooters to ensure the ongoing safety of users and the general public.
This report has a Bass Coast focus, however research has clearly shown these problems are being experienced at a state, national and international level. This includes a dramatic increase in the number of serious injuries and deaths associated with the use of motorised scooters.
This report has made some fundamental recommendation to address this issue and places the responsibility on local, state and federal governments and their agencies.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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