A record number of Year 12 students from across the Bay of Plenty will receive potentially life-saving road safety education this year thanks, in part, to a $6000 grant from BayTrust.

The money will help Road Safety Education Limited deliver their innovative RYDA programme to more than 2400 teenagers across 12 different schools, with high hopes that more colleges will come on board.

RYDA programme manager Naomh Cusin said there is a cost to deliver the comprehensive workshop, with numerous resources provided to teachers to continue road safety discussions in the classroom before and after.

“But funding such as this helps us reduce that cost significantly, ensuring all students can attend and making it very affordable for schools to participate,” Cusin said in a statement to focuses.

“We are absolutely thrilled and very appreciative. It’s exciting to have our work validated as well. Receiving this grant tells us that BayTrust believes in our mission and they’re willing to invest in young people in this area so we’re really pleased.”

RYDA is specifically targeted at Year 12 students because young drivers are more likely to have a crash in the first six months after gaining their restricted licence than at any other time.

The programme focuses on cognitive skills to help both drivers and passengers lower their risk on the road.

BayTrust is granting $6k to help fund the initiative which means a record number of local Year 12 students can do the course this year.

Six engaging sessions on different topics are held during the workshop, presented by trained facilitators, community police constables and crash survivors.

Each 30-minute session includes a mix of videos, interactive discussions and quizzes.

For example, the Speed & Stopping session looks at the relationship between speed and stopping distances and the need to keep a safe following gap. Drive SOS (which stands for So Others Survive) looks at things from the perspective of other road users, while Crash Investigators involves students interviewing someone who has lived through a crash.

“Prior to that they learn that crash investigators look at the road, the road user, the conditions, the vehicle and speed. So, their questions to the crash survivor are centred around that,” Cusin said.

“Listening to a survivor tell their story has a big impact on people. It’s relatable. We never script it, but our crash survivors will always say they never thought it was going to happen to them. And a number of our crash survivors have been passengers as well, so students really take that on board.”

Rather than scaring students and leaving them feeling worried about driving, the sessions are designed to teach positive lessons. “We want them to feel more empowered.”

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes said data shows drivers under 25 are primarily responsible for 86% of all road crashes they’re involved in.

“In most cases, crashes are not accidents but result from poor decisions. Youth road trauma is a major problem in all local communities, resulting in huge economic, social and wellbeing costs.

“RYDA has a proven track record of teaching our rangatahi how to improve their hazard/risk perception, resist distraction, and stay focused and aware behind the wheel.

“We are pleased to provide this grant to help more students benefit from this highly successful road safety programme and keep all Bay of Plenty residents safe on the road.”