Driving the toll down

FATALITY Free Friday is a nation-wide campaign designed to help stop the carnage on our roads by raising driver safety awareness.
Motorists, particularly young people and their parents, are encouraged to get the latest vehicle and road safety advice from a host of experts at a Fatality Free Friday event at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) on tomorrow (29 May).
USC Research Fellow Dr Bridie Scott-Parker is co-organising the event from 9am to 3pm on campus at Sippy Downs to provide free information for students, staff and the public on everything from car modifications, licensing and legislation to safety tips for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) is presenting this event and will display a full-size hatchback where people can sign pledges to stay safe on the roads, and a special inspection vehicle with inspectors able to advise people on matters such as legal and illegal modifications.The Queensland Police Service will display a car and a motorcycle, with several officers providing a range of resources.
Dr Scott-Parker, who leads USC’s new Adolescent Risk Research Unit, will be on hand to explain her research findings on issues such as the effects of young people’s emotions on their behaviour as drivers or passengers, and the important role of parents in teaching safe driving.
Rotary will also be on hand to display information about its Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program.
A sombre reminder of the human impact of road deaths will be a collection of thongs representing the people killed on roads in the Sunshine Coast region in recent years.
Dr Scott-Parker, whose research focuses on the psychology of driving, said she was looking forward to chatting to the wider community about elements of road safety.
“We urge everyone who uses our roads to come to the university and engage in this event. This is such an important issue,” she said.
The outdoor event will be held between buildings on the centre of campus at Sippy Downs.
For more information, email Dr Scott-Parker at bscottpa@usc.edu.au for USC queries or visit www.fatalityfreefriday.com.