Life can change in an instant.
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For Todd Green that moment came in December 2003 when the car he was a passenger in crashed at high speed into the back of a semi-trailer on the road in front of Wingham Abattoirs.
His friend who was driving was killed, while Todd was pulled from the wreckage “barely alive” and spent three weeks unconscious in John Hunter Hospital.
His story, the journey since and the impact on the lives of not only himself but those around him, is one of the most powerful modules of the RYDA Road Safety Education program, which ran at the Taree-Wingham Racecourse yesterday.
Every year Todd and his mum Sue tell their story to hundreds of year 11 students from nine schools in the Manning and Great Lakes.
Yesterday the Rotary Club of Taree, which facilitates the program locally, presented them with certificates of appreciation for their contribution.
“We do it because we don’t want it to happen to any other family,” said Sue.
Ruby Jones and Sarah Ward from St Clare’s High School said it would “definitely” impact on their approach to driving when they acquire their P-plates later in the year.
The RYDA program has run for 14 years locally and this week reaches a milestone of 6000 students to attend.
VIDEO: High school students attending the RYDA Road Safety Education program held in Taree learned about car speed and stopping distances. The witches hats are people and this video shows what can happen when a car is travelling at 60kph and people walk out on a pedestrian crossing in front of them.
Co-ordinator Laurie Easter said only one young person who has been involved in the program has been killed in a motor vehicle accident.
Yesterday’s course was attended by Taree High, St Clare’s and Manning Valley Anglican College.
Students attend six modules covering hazards and distractions, speed and stopping, Genevieve’s story (the story of a young girl who was killed in a car accident), a personality test, ‘After the Crash’ and rights and responsibilities.
VIDEO: Rotarian Don Phillips talks about road safety and what year 11 students have been learning at the RYDA Road Safety Education program, facilitated by Rotary.
