Officials show youth what a fatal car accident is really like

Date: Aug 29, 2013

City officials in New South Wales have taken a unique approach to warning young Australians how dangerous driving can be, and why making all the right decisions before getting behind the wheel can be the difference between life and death.

The project was the culmination of work between emergency officials from the towns of Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires, who re-enacted a fatal car accident crash scene in the gym of a local school.

The group also documented the event on video so it could circulate on the internet and give a warning to anyone what the end result of making poor decisions behind the wheel could be. In the video, an entire crash scene unfolds, complete with actors in full makeup, actual cars, ambulances, police vehicles and realistic props.

The solemn demonstration showed a car full of teenagers who had been killed or injured in an accident, the vehicle bloodied on the outside with a tree through the windshield, and one survivor panicking while police officers restrain her.

The responders end up prying the doors off the vehicle so they can get to the victims and remove them.

The show is a part of the week-long Young Drivers Expo in New South Wales. The goal was to tug at the heart strings of more than 1,400 high school students in the Tamworth region.

In addition to re-enactment, there were several speakers on hand who gave accounts of their experiences with fatal accidents. This included crash survivors, emergency service personnel and the families of those who have perished.

Show, don't tell

The ultimate goal of the expo was to break through the outer shell of teenagers to show them they're not invincible. This, according to Tamworth Regional Council Business and Events Officer Catherine Burton, required a novel approach.

"To be a success, the Expo has to challenge young drivers' attitudes and beliefs about driving and get them to reflect on what it takes to be a safe and responsible driver," she said.

"The involvement from such a diverse range of organisations helps this to be achieved through the depth and relevance of the information and expert advice available for students."

The officials hope the images stick with students as they go out onto NSW roads.

Those who have been victims in such a crash may want to contact a car accident lawyer to explore possible compensation options.
