Young drivers on two wheels are the focus of a new education program designed to improve road safety.

The Traffic and Bike Safety program is designed for Grade 3 students from schools in Devonport, Latrobe, Port Sorell and Kentish.

“The program aims to bridge the road safety education gap that exists for children between when they learn to cross a road and when they learn to drive,” said Inspector Adrian Shadbolt.

The Kentish Road Safety Bike Park provides an ideal facility for learning the road rules. It has been designed around the first seven compulsory questions in the learners’ test, together with additional key local features (train signs in particular). The park features a series of interconnecting paths simulating road conditions, with road signs, line marking, a roundabout and traffic light.

“This program is the first of its type at any of the four Road Safety Parks in Tasmania. We’ve had several school groups participate so far and the response has been very positive,” said Inspector Shadbolt.

The program is a joint initiative of Tasmania Police, the Department of State Growth, the Kentish and Latrobe Community Road Safety Committee and Kentish Council. The MAIB Injury Prevention and Management Foundation contributed more than $21,000 to the project.

Students are provided with a combination of practical and theoretical road safety and bike safety education. They discuss road rules for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and participate in road safety scenarios.

The following outcomes are expected to be delivered by the program:

1. Greater knowledge and adherence to Tasmanian road rules by young people
2. Reduction in risk taking behaviours by young people (e.g. helmet use)
3. Peer regulation of safe road and bike safety behaviours
4. Increased bus Safety and awareness on & around the bus
5. Potential reduction in severity and frequency of road crashes

“We are also very grateful to our volunteers who are assisting with the program delivery. They are very passionate about bike and road safety and without them, delivery of the program would be very difficult,” said Inspector Shadbolt.

“We are working hard to ensure sustainability of this program for delivery in future years through the purchase of equipment and the delivery of an Accredited Training program to teachers and community volunteers.”

The Traffic and Bike Safety program continues for another month and more than 500 grade 3 students will take part.