The RRISK program reduces the risk of young driver car crashes by 44%
New research, published in Pediatrics, November, 2009 investigating the benefits of young driver education has shown that young drivers who attended the RRISK program had a 44% reduced risk of a car crashes. The research compared the impact of 2 school based programs on traffic infringements and crashes for young drivers. RRISK, described as a ‘resilience building’ program by the researchers, is the first and only school based educational program to have resulted in a reduction in road crashes. Those who attended the other ‘driver focused’ program had no reduction in crashes.
Evaluation of RRISK
The RRISK program has been evaluated over a number of years with positive outcomes for students who participate. Please check out our evaluation reports, peer reviewed publications and examples of students’ and teachers’ views about the value of the RRISK Seminars.
RRISK Evaluation Report 2008
This annual process evaluation provides an overview of the program, schools attending, what students learnt and teachers’ views on the value of the RRISK Seminars.
Click here to read full report
RRISK Evaluation Report 2002-2005
This comprehensive evaluation was funded by the NSW Motor Accidents Authority. It contains a pre/post Student Evaluation, Teacher/School Evaluation and a Partnership Evaluation.
Click here to read full report
Examples of students’ comments about the RRISK Seminars
+ I never knew a lot of these things. Learnt so much, it was a real eye opener
+ Thank you for a brilliant reminder to look out for each other by making the right choices
+ This was great, every year 11 student should be here, it was an awesome day
+ I never knew that my life had been in danger until today
+ I think it was good that you didn't tell us not to drink but what to do when drinking
+ Was entertaining enough to maintain interest and informative enough to be worth paying attention. I feel more people should view this seminar
+ The seminar was really effective and informative and it made me think more carefully about drinking and driving
+ It was really good. Heavy information, really engages audience
+ It was very useful and I learnt things that I didn't know before that I will definitely apply
+ Good, informative but not pushy
+ Entertaining, shocking, effective
What Students Learnt – Safe Driving
+ Don’t be scared to tell people when you’re driving to be quiet
+ How important it is to not speed
+ Do not drink and drive!
+ What to do in the case of an accident
+ The consequences (in court) for crashing
+ Never go in a car with a driver who’s over the limit or a stupid driver
+ The difference in stopping distance between cars and trucks
+ How to drive safely near trucks blind spots
What Students Learnt – Car Safety
+ Don’t use frayed seatbelts
+ How to choose and buy a safe car
+ About under and over-inflated tyres
+ Check the tyres, lights and windscreen wipers on a car at least once every fortnight
+ Maintaining a car properly
+ You can’t have V8 or v6 turbos
What Students Learnt – Alcohol
+ Have a meal one and a half hours before drinking
+ Have a glass of water after each glass of alcohol
+ Binge drinking can kill, I didn’t realise the severe consequences
+ How bad spirits are
+ How to look after drunk mates
+ If you want to sober up; time is the only way
+ Alcohol stays in the blood even early the next morning
+ Water, bread and cold showers don’t sober people up
+ Don’t put drunk people to sleep until sober
What Students Learnt – Alcohol Emergencies
+ How to look after a drunk person properly
+ How to put someone in the recovery position
+ If someone’s unconscious and doesn’t respond call an ambulance
+ When you ring 000 ambulance the police don’t automatically come
+ Emergency numbers 112 and 000
+ New updates of DRABC – new techniques
Risks and Consequences
+ Your actions can be fatal, everything has a consequence
+ Think seriously before you act and plan ahead
+ I am not invincible
+ You are very vulnerable under the influence of alcohol
+ Don’t take chances with your life and others
+ Act responsibly and look after your friends
Examples of teachers’ comments about the RRISK seminars
+ Fabulous day. Would like to have brought more staff
+ This is the way to present this information. At a special venue with specialised presenters. Much more effective than a school presentation by everyday teachers
+ I would like to commend Paul on his presentation, all students were interested and engaged and they and staff found his presentation highly captivating
+ Professional, powerful and so worthwhile – well done
+ Noticed a few changes in presentation which I think were very effective, eg Paul Dillon talking about ‘hard liquor’, the information on trucks, and the breakaway session focusing on DRABC
+ Great way to get a message across to all kids. Relevant information. Fantastic.
+ ‘My Story’ – Wow! What an impact. An excellent day. I think that the re-telling of personal stories made a big impact on the students. The venue added impact and the importance to issues. Thanks for a great day.
Peer Reviewed Publications
+ van Beurden, E, Zask, A, Brooks, L , Dight, R
Heavy episodic drinking and sensation seeking in adolescents as predictors of harmful driving and celebrating behaviours: implications for prevention. Journal of Adolescent Health 37(2005) 37-43. See article
+ Elkington, E, van Beurden, E, Zask, A, Dight, R and Johnson, W
RRISK a sustainable intersectoral partnership. Youth Studies Australia 25, 2 (2006) 17-24. See article
+ Zask,A, van Beurden, E, Brooks, L, Dight, R
Is it worth the RRISK? Evaluation of the RRISK (Reduce Risk, Increase Student Knowledge) program for adolescents in rural Australia. Journal of Adolescent Health 38(2006) 495-503. See article