Secondary News

Fit to Drive

The Fit 2 Drive Foundation is a program that travels around Victoria to talk to young people aged between 16 and 25. Their mission is to engage with young people to deliver road safety messages that will empower and support young road users to achieve zero deaths on Victorian roads.

On Tuesday the 20th, Jack from Fit 2 Drive came to our school to do a work shop with the year elevens from Edenhope and Goroke. Jack spoke to us about road distractions, how there is always a safer way home, what to do as a passenger if you feel unsafe in a car and how your choices could impact you in the short and long term.

Distractions on the road, range from everything outside the car, to passengers next to you, to what’s going on in your head. We learnt that experience is the only thing that can prepare drivers for distractions and make them best suited to unexpected troubles on Victorian roads.

Jack made it very clear when talking to us that there is always a safer way home. Too many young people are involved in road accidents on our roads. There is no need for carpooling with alcohol filled teenagers when there are other, safer ways home. Parents, older siblings and sober drivers, staying the night and walking home are all safer options but it is always best to have a plan and don’t getting into a car that doesn’t seem safe.

For people who do manage to get themselves in an unsafe situation on the road, there are some phrases to say to stay safe. Being called a coward at the time is much better than being involved in a potentially life threatening car accident. You could point out that what they are doing is illegal by saying something like ‘You’re going to get a fine’. One way to stop the car if you’re scared is to say ‘I’m going to spew!’. No one wants spew in their car and so that might get them to stop straight away. Good friends care about each other so if you tell them that you don’t feel safe, they should stop doing the dangerous or illegal thing that they are doing.

Remember that your choices in the situation will have short and long term effects. By telling the driver to slow down, you could save the life of someone in the backseat. You could stop the driver getting a fine or feeling the guilt after hurting their friends in a crash. Please stand up now to save yourself from troubles in the future.

By doing the F2D workshop, we are now all aware of the dangers on our roads. We need to share what we have learnt with our friends and the rest of the state to stop road deaths and to get closer to zero.

To learn more about the Fit 2 Drive Foundation, go to www.f2d.com.au to find more information, resources and a student survey. Find them on Facebook and Instagram and click follow.

Hayley Grigg

Year 11

Proposed VCAL/VCE Melbourne Camp

Letters have been sent home (on Friday 22 March) with VCE & VCAL students today regarding a proposed Melbourne Camp in Term 2. Please contact the Front Office if a copy of this letter doesn't make it home!