Driver Education Program
For over 15 years, the PDHPE Faculty at Deniliquin High School in conjunction with the Driver Education Subcommittee of the P&C, have organised a one-week intensive Driver Education Program for all Year 10 students. A great deal of time and community effort goes into organising this event. Many people and organisations in the community give up their valuable time to ensure that this program can operate. An outline of some of the activities involved is as follows.
Some of the sessions include:
- Mental Health & Wellbeing: students attend sessions with our School Counsellor and learn about mental health issues and how to support and seek assistance for a friend who is having a mental health crisis.
- Around Town: Students follow the chain of command that would occur in the event of a road accident, from insurance agency & hospital to the police station and then the court. At each place, students will learn what part this agency plays in processing a road accident.
- Deniliquin Car Club: practical sessions aimed at improving the students’ driving skills, at the Deniliquin Car Club.
- Mock Accident: students witness our emergency services in action as they respond to a mock accident and remove and treat victims trapped in a car following a collision.
- Guest Speaker: A range of speakers whose lives have been impacted by road trauma address students and recount the events leading up to these events and the effect this has had on their life.
- ATA Truck: this group travels from Northern Australia each year to be a part of our program. The truck is fitted with interactive activities to raise the student’s awareness of scenarios they may encounter on the roads when driving.
- First Aid: students take part in a a 2-hour practical session about providing first aid at an accident scene.
- Vehicle Self Defence: Presented by past DHS student, Daniel Zrajko, students learn about the issues involved with road rage and how to maintain your personal safety when travelling on public transport.
- Fatigue: students will attend a short session with local truck driver Paul Fellows regarding fatigue.
- Depot Excursion: students will go on an excursion to local tourist destination, The Depot, to gain an appreciation of the importance of the transport industry in our town's history.
Every student who completes the one week program is eligible for a FREE 1 hr driving lesson with local instructor, Brian Purtill. This lesson is funded by the Driver Education Subcommittee of the P&C. Students can start accessing these lessons with Brian once school finishes for the year.
Mr. Anthony Michael
HT PDHPE, on behalf of the PDHPE Faculty and the Driver Education P&C Sub-committee.
Student reviews
"I really enjoyed Driver Education week. The Car Club helped me learn valuable driving skills in a controlled environment. I was able to make mistakes and learn how to drive both a manual and automatic car properly. I also learnt the consequences of being distracted whilst driving from Vicki Richardson who had suffered a great personal loss because of it. The pretend court case was also informative about the legal process after an accident and the medical process. I found this week enjoyable and informative and the experience has improved my knowledge and skills at being a driver."
"We participated in many different activities that helped us to understand the different parts of a car, how to control and drive a car safely. We also learnt how to help someone if they are in need of first aid assistance and we were also talked to about mental health and the story of Vicki's daughter that was in an accident because she was texting behind the wheel. We visited the police station, hospital and the morgue and all of these buildings we explained how they help and deal with people that may have been in an accident. Brian explained to us how to approach the roundabout and when to use a blinker appropriately. The mock accident was a big help to explain what goes on with all the different roles of the police, ambulance, fire and SES."
"I found the Driver's Ed experience to be very informative and interesting, the course was one week long and during the week we visited many places around Deniliquin including: the police station, hospital, courthouse, Deniliquin Car Club and many more. The first day consisted of a mock accident demonstrated by the police force, paramedics, the rescue squad and the fire station. This mock accident became the scenario for what the whole week was about. My highlight was the fake court room scenario at the courthouse, as it was very interesting to see what actually goes on in the court house. Thank you to everyone in our community that helped out to make Drivers Ed such an informative fun way of learning about safe driving."
"I found the Drivers Education program very informative and helpful as a new driver. It was good to see the consequences of your actions on the day that we went to the police station, morgue and courthouse. It really sunk into my head that if I make a one second mistake it will impact my, and the victims, life forever. Altogether the week was very helpful and extended my knowledge on what to do and what not to do in a car."
"Last week DHS held their yearly Drivers Ed Program for the year 10 students of the school. It was an extensive week consisting in a lot of fun and engaging activities. The week was based around a mock car accident, which then we followed the impact trail it had. This experience was very educational and confronting at the same time. The week also consisted of a day at the local Car Club, where we were able to drive cars around a racetrack and drive a controlled driving track as well. Overall, the week was a great learning curve for a lot of people thanks to the time and money put in from the local community.
The Drivers Education program was a eye opening experience. I learnt how easy it was to lose control of a car being distracted for only a few seconds. I enjoyed going to the Car Club and tearing it up on the track. Losing control on a dirt road at high speed was a good learning curve know how easy it is and how to avoid it. Overall I had a great time."
"I found both the theory and practical side a very helpful and valuable. It taught a lot about not only the dangers or the things to consider as a driver, but also a lot about the consequences and how to attend to it. As of now, my approach when on the road is thinking more ahead, being more mindful of my surroundings and other vehicles, and most definitely thinking twice and making smarter choices."
"During the Drivers Ed program, I took away many life lessons and learnt a lot about being safe and cautious on the road. On the Monday we got to experience beer goggles and the effects on the body after having a certain amount of drinks. We also learnt about blind spots, diving with truck and road trains around us and got to witness first-hand what it's like to be in a rolled over truck and some of us participating in a mock accident. On Tuesday we went over the north side to Ian Fishers, to learn about mechanics and maintaining your car. We checked tread, changed tires and learnt about the cost of repairs and damage. Wednesday we were split into three groups with different activities each day. During the day we talked about mental health and drinking while driving, following that we learnt CPR and what to do to help the injured in an accident. Thursday we were off to the Car Club, were I learnt how to drive a manual for the first time and we were taught the road rules and signals on a practical course before picking up speed on the speed track. Bryan Purtill came along to give us a theory lesson and to help us with are parallel and 45 degree parking skills. Last but not least on Friday we had a day down the street visiting the Deniliquin Police Station learning about what happens when someone is charged with causing an accident, the hospital to see they treat injured drivers, the morgue to see the reality of a worst case scenario and finally the court house were we all participated in a mock court case, to see how the court works in cases of a driving accident. All together the Drivers Ed program was informative and an experience that has helped us all, and taught us how to be safe on the road." - Ellie
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