Innovative behavioural and skill-based road safety education campaign for Queensland schools.

Developed by DriverSafety and Supercheap Auto, CARMA is a behavioural and skill-based road safety education campaign for Queensland schools.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, road safety expert Russell White, and CARMA ambassador Russell Ingall officially launched the CARMA school education program, a 100% not-for-profit road safety campaign at Ipswich State High School.

Developed by DriverSafety and Supercheap Auto, CARMA is a behavioural and skill-based road safety education campaign for Queensland schools.

The school education initiative is designed to better equip both young drivers and their parents with well researched proven skills and techniques to create better drivers on our roads.

Commenting on the program Cr Pisasale said: “Road safety is a major issue in Australia and of equal concern is the number of incidents and fatalities involving young drivers.

“This is a tremendous initiative that has been specifically created for Year 11 and 12 students in mind, teaching actual foundational driving skills which are seldom taught in pre or post license training,” he said.

Supercheap Auto V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall, who is the CARMA brand safety ambassador, has given his full support to the school education program and will be personally attending as many schools as his racing commitments will allow to meet with students and teachers.

Supercheap Auto Chief Operating Officer David Ajala said: “Supercheap Auto has always been a big promoter of road safety and we have heavily invested over the past four years to introduce CARMA in an effort to improve road safety and reduce road trauma in the community, particularly among young drivers.

“The aim of the program is to encourage young drivers to think more about their driving behaviour and habits, while honing the skills and knowledge to increase their awareness levels,” he said.

While part of the program focuses on educating students about important road safety rules, there is a large emphasis on behavioral habits and driving techniques. Such behaviours include correct seating positioning, braking and accelerating techniques, hand placement and steering, bio mechanics and vision.

Driversafety.com.au founder Russell White said he was encouraged by the interactive program, which combines theory and practical activities, designed to increase students’ road safety knowledge, their awareness and prepare them for life on the road.

“In Australia, on average 1400 people are killed and 50,000 are affected by incidents of road trauma each year. Unfortunately statistics also highlight that our young drivers are over represented in these figures.

“This full day program is both educational and entertaining.

Selected students will be invited to use our state-of-the-art driving simulator and apply the techniques learnt and incorporate hands-on strategies for preventing hazardous situations. This exclusive driving simulator is unique to our teaching method and effectively demonstrates to fellow students the level of concentration required to avoid hazards on the road in a 100% safe, risk-free environment,” Mr White said.

The road safety education program is being delivered to high schools across South East Queensland between March and September 2012.

Places for the program are limited so visit www.yourcarma.com.au to find out how your school can be involved.