Leading Senior Constable Brooke Malane said the program was developed in 2008 in Shepparton.
“Its motivation is to remove the devastating impact caused by fatal and serious injury collisions on local roads,” she said.
“Initially, it was developed in the Greater Shepparton area ... it’s also a permanent calendar fixture for both Mitchell and Benalla police service areas as of March 2022.”
On Wednesday, May 1, everyone is invited to the Seymour Community Arts Centre at Seymour College to learn about the importance of safety on the road.
Doors open at 6.40pm and the program will run from 7pm to 9pm.
“We have our first CoolHeads in Seymour,” Ldg Sen Constable Malane said.
“We’ve had two CoolHeads sessions in Wallan, and this is our first one in Seymour.”
“Anybody 16 years of age and upwards is very welcome to come.”
Ldg Sen Constable Malane said the program was recommended for people aged 16 and over because it was around that age that people started to get on the road.
“The CoolHeads Young Driver Program isn’t about teaching you how to drive,” she said.
“It’s about highlighting the real consequences of distraction and risk-taking while driving.
“It’s designed to improve attitudes of young drivers towards driving on our roads.”
Ldg Sen Constable Malane said the magistrates’ court sometimes ordered people to attend CoolHeads as part of a diversion.
“So, not only is CoolHeads Young Driver Program preventative, it’s also a deterrent as well for those that have already offended on the roads not to do it again,” she said.
The two-hour program incorporates road trauma, visuals, messaging and speakers.
“Some of the speakers include major collision investigation unit (members). They also sometimes include magistrates,” Ldg Sen Constable Malane said.
The SES, CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria and Ambulance Victoria can sometimes be a part of the program.
“Often, in nearly every single CoolHeads, we’ve had somebody that is related to somebody that’s been a victim of road trauma,” Ldg Sen Constable Malane said.
“It’s that lived experience that you don’t get.
“You can watch a video, you can do different things, but actually somebody says, ‘this happened to me, and this is how my life got turned upside down through one action’, it’s really, really impactful.”
Ldg Sen Constable Malane said the goal of the CoolHeads Young Driver Program was to remove the devastating impact caused by severe and fatal injuries.
“If one person leaves CoolHeads and they go ‘I won’t speed’ or ‘I will drive carefully’ or ‘I won’t ever get into a car with a drunk driver’ or just having that really different outlook and positive attitude on the road,” Ldg Sen Constable Malane said.
CoolHeads is a free community event, although advance booking is required to attend.
To book, visit EyeWatch — Mitchell Police Service Area’s Facebook page or Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coolheads-young-driver-program-tickets-835203434957
12°C