NRMA Youth Road Trauma Forum – Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 May, 2008
The NRMA Youth and Road Trauma Forum is an injury prevention program open to students in years 10 to 12 in all government and non-government high schools in NSW and the ACT. The Forum, organised and run by the Trauma Service at Westmead Hospital, is held at the Acer Arena, Olympic Park, Homebush Bay. The Forum is held because our youth are being severely injured and killed due to potentially preventable road crashes. The NSW statistics for 2005 for 17-25 year olds recorded 6,487 casualties of road trauma and 111 deaths. These young people hold only 15% of licenses but they are involved in 28% of crashes, often resulting in hospitalisation.
More than 10,000 students from 115 high schools attended the 2008 event, which included an exciting combination of demonstrations, crash dynamics and rescue, vehicle stopping distances and active exhibits. The Forum gave students who are most at risk a realistic look at the trauma caused by road crashes. It also gave them information and strategies in an attempt to reduce serious injuries and deaths.
The Forum’s contents and structure aims to treat young people as adults, allowing them freedom to choose from a range of exhibits including an interactive equipment display by NRMA CareFlight.
A big thank you goes to the fantastic members of “Team 20” from NRMA who helped man the NRMA CareFlight stand for the three days of the event. Such willing and friendly volunteers are much appreciated by all at NRMA CareFlight.
For more information on the 2008 NRMA Youth Road Trauma Forum please visit the Australian Youth and Road Trauma Forum website.
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