Young drivers urged to keep their cool

By Patrick Morrow

Nov 21, 2022

**Lessons in road safety:** Attendees gear up for the CoolHeads presentations at Riverlinks Westside, Mooroopna, on Wednesday, November 16. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Don’t be a danger on our roads. That was the message to drivers young and old at the CoolHeads Young Driver Program at Riverlinks Westside, Mooroopna on Wednesday, November 16.

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Hosted by Shepparton police, the forum was an opportunity to highlight the perils of dangerous driving.

The forum involved Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill, magistrate Marita Altman, Shepparton Search and Rescue president Mick D’Elia, paramedic Brent Law and driving offender Zac Jones, who is currently on parole.

Over 300 attendees were shown graphic pictures of major car collisions, including images of people on hospital beds and in surgery.

Det Sgt Hill, the first speaker of the night, spoke about how young people think they are invincible on the roads.

**Urging caution:** Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill talks about the causes of road deaths. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“It all comes down to peer pressure and not knowing the conditions,” Det Sgt Hill said.

Magistrate Marita Altman discussed the financial impact a loss of the licence could have, saying a friend’s decision not to follow police instructions cost him his livelihood.

Ms Altman said her friend’s life was turn upside down by his decision, which made him feel embarrassed at not having a licence and halted his career in architecture.

“My friend lost $35,000 after he lost his licence from not blowing in the bag (breathalyser), and that was a dumb mistake, which cost him his (way of) life,” Ms Altman said.

The night's climax was when Mr Jones told his story of heartbreak and trauma caused by his decision to drive while drunk.

“I do not want anyone to clap after I finish my story, as I have committed a tragedy which I will never forget,” Mr Jones said.

Ambulance Victoria’s Brent Law and Shepparton Search and Rescue’s Mick D’Elia finished the night, explaining the mental toll attending collisions takes on emergency services personnel.

“It takes an emotional toll just as much on you as us, and you need to realise that all collisions have an impact,” Mr Law said.

“Please concentrate when driving because it happened to all of us, including me, nine days ago,” Mr D’Elia said.

**Legal perspective:** Magistrate Marita Altman tells of a friend’s ‘dumb mistake’ — losing his licence for not blowing in a breathalyser and not following police instructions. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Mr D’Elia said the forum was important in reducing road deaths.

“It’s shown in value as we have a reduction of the road toll, not just deaths but serious collisions, and I think younger generations are starting to think differently and have a better attitude to driving,” Mr D’Elia said.

**Telling it straight:** Driving offender Zac Jones crashed a car into an aged care home and was sentenced to four years in jail. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“It is an ongoing program and hopefully can be extended across Victoria.

“I think it does have that effect, but it creates conversations not only among the kids but with their parents, and is proven to reduce the road toll.”