The annual event offers members of the public the opportunity to hear from Milton-Ulladulla emergency services personnel on how they respond to crashes and the effects of road trauma on the community.

Guest speakers Sam Hall and Vicki McDougall will offer first-hand experiences of what it is like to live with the consequences of road trauma.

Mr Hall’s session is expected to hit home with many of the students.

“Sam was involved in a major accident the week before his HSC in 2015 leaving him fighting for his life for several weeks and hospitalized for several months,” a Milton Ulladulla Youth Driver Education committee member said.

“He was an active sportsperson picked to play soccer for Australia, but due to a very poor decision nearly lost his life and he is now unable to play his sport.”

Mrs McDougall has dedicated her life to saving others following the death of daughter in a car crash.

“She gives a presentation on the devastating impact road trauma has had on her life as she lost her daughter, who was texting and driving and subsequently crashed into a tree and was killed,” a committee member said. 

“Vicki has been instrumental in having stricter laws being introduced in regard to the misuse of mobile phones whilst driving.”

The driver safety night follows the work of the driver education team, who will conducting presentations and working with year 11 students over the week to reinforce safe driving messages.

Students will hear from a local highway patrol officer at Ulladulla High School. The officer will discuss a range of topics including police role in reducing trauma, offence pertaining to young drivers, hazards, the increased risk of speed, fatigure, mobile phones, drugs and alcohol. 

Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue and mechanical services will offer students a “hands-on” approach to learning at various presentations.

Emergency services will show the tools they use to either save lives or clear debris at an incident, mechanics will offer lessons on basic practical vehicle maintenance and instructors aim to show students the difficulty distractions offer when driving.

Students will then have the opportunity to learn from driving instructors at a practical, supervised, experience at the track.

The driver safety night will be held at Ulladulla High School on Wednesday, November 7 from 6pm. RSVP to mudrivered25@hotmail.com.

The Milton Ulladulla Youth Driver Education Program began in 1991, due to a number of local youths dying or being seriously injured in motor vehicle collisions within the area. Local police, NSW Ambulance officers and teachers implemented the program and continue to support it.