The use of “3-2-1 Green Reflectors” is to provide enhanced safety for heavy vehicle drivers using informal heavy vehicle stopping places.

Informal stopping places, or rest areas, are not formally provided or maintained by The Department of Transport and Main Roads, but show obvious signs of use by heavy vehicles. The intent is to provide drivers of heavy vehicles wishing to use these informal sites with ample warning to avoid braking manoeuvres that are dangerous to themselves or other vehicles in the traffic stream. This is particularly important at night.

The system of marking sites is as follows:

• Three green reflectors mounted on a guide post at a minimum of 500 metres.
• Two green reflectors at a minimum of 250 metres.
• One green reflector on the guide post immediately before the stopping place.

The Road Accident Action Group Inc [RAAG] in 2014 were successful in obtaining a Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads Community Road Safety grant enabling the audit of over 3000 kilometres of Bowen Basin Highways, Development and arterial roads for 3-2-1 Green Reflector Informal stopping places.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads will now roll out 3-2-1 Green Reflectors with sign maintenance programs.

RAAG is to commence building a grant funding submission to NHVR for the inspection on a six monthly basis for two years of the TMR approved 321 Green Reflector sites in the Bowen Basin road network, including the Bruce Highway, Rockhampton to Bowen with the view of reporting to TMR missing reflectors, approved sites not identified, and potential new sites that have become available that comply with the TMR 321 Green Reflector guidelines survey data.

[TMR Mackay to assist with this including loan of road chainage GPS.]

This information to be used by TMR, RoadTech and nominated authorities that maintain the road network signage.

RAAG to also supply 321 Green Reflector brochures and TMR Guidelines to TMR for dissemination to these authorities as at present there appears to be a serious shortfall of awareness of the importance of these sites.

Grant funding to cover  labour costs, travel costs, administration and brochure printing costs, noting over 3500kms of highway, some that will need to be travelled twice for safety and practical reasons.

Important information for Heavy Vehicle Drivers

RAAG is currently working with government departments in the area to promote positive driving behaviours among young people who have been involved in motoring incidents that have ended up before the courts.

RAAG provides assistance in conferencing with the young people involved, to create an awareness of how the impacts of such behaviours can impact on many members of the community as well as direct family members, friends and colleagues.

The intended aim of educating young people in the dangers of driving inappropriately after a driving offence has been committed.

Furthermore to impress upon young people, through the conferencing process, the belief that changing driving behaviour and complying with all of the road rules set out in the legislation can have positive outcomes for their future.

The intention is to have a positive impact on reducing the number of crashes on our roads that involve young people. If positive driving behaviours and education can be instilled in young people who have already had an interaction with the justice system then it can reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

The project will aim to educate young people on the dangers of using mobile phones when driving. There have been numerous campaigns around this topic however this project will be differentiated by delivering digital content targeted toward young drivers and young people from 14-18 years of age.

The project will capitalise on the use of digital media by young people and focus on their preferred social media platforms Facebook, Spotify, Instagram etc. to push the message of distracted driving being ‘not cool’ and unacceptable.

The messages will also look to use social influencers and enablers to reinforce the message.

By using school Road Safety Ambassadors the message will become common in discussions around what is safe driving behaviour on our roads.

To deliver a series of targeted programs to local schools to recruit Road Safety Ambassadors to spread the message on distracted driving and recruit student volunteers to assist.

• To reduce the number of young drivers caught using their mobile phones annually by 50%.
• To raise awareness in the target group that distracted driving is ‘not cool’ and unacceptable.
• To understand what drives this group and the type of messages that resonate with them in road safety.

Introduction

A Young Approach is a campaign by RAAG that centralises around bringing the discussion of road safety to the forefront in the minds young emerging drivers and create a culture of road safety-minded drivers in the Mackay community.

Studies have shown that young drivers, within the first six months of attaining their provisional one,(Red P1) license are three-times as likely to be involved in a crash (Austroads, 2008) and 25.4% of fatal road crashes on Australian roads involve a 17 – 24 year old driver (Department of Transport and Main Roads, 2011). These studies indicate that a lack of experience has been the major causal factor for this crashes.

For us at RAAG, we believe there is no substitute to experience, but an awareness and education in road safety can certainly be appreciated when faced with these experiences first hand.

As apart of this campaign, projects like the “Road Safety Ambassadors” program, intend to elect students within the Mackay schooling community to represent and communicate the ideals of road safety toward their student peer groups of emerging drivers. This program will be utilised to combat the growing threat of dangerous driving behaviours, such as Distracted Driving.

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving has been a growing concern on Australian roads since the inception of mobile devices in the Australian market, however, with growing functionality and heavier reliance on smart phone devices, distracted driving is being over represented in car crash statistics with as many a one in four car crashes (CAARSQ, 2017) is largely attributed to being a result or joint-result of distracted driving.

With young people being an emerging generation of drivers on the roads, it has been reported that 18 to 25 year old drivers are four times as likely to engage in distracted driving behaviour by reading/sending text messages, 12% making Facebook updates and 14% taking a selfie (CAARS-Q, 2017).

In Scope

The “Young Approach” campaign in scope focuses on curbing young emerging drivers away from engaging such behaviours not by creating fear, but by educating these young emerging drivers to self-actualisation and awareness of the self in the driving environment.

Funding the Project:

RAAG has submitted grant applications for this project.

Further reading:

CAARS-Q “Mobile Phone User & Distraction”: https://research.qut.edu.au/carrsq/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2018/07/FINAL-Mobile-phone-distraction.pdf

Department of Transport and Main Roads “Raod Safety Statistics”: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Transport-and-road-statistics/Road-safety-statistics

Queensland Government “Join the Drive” Driver Distraction: https://jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/driver-distraction/factsheet

YDS Program Assessment

Youth Drive Safe
Program Assessment

Introduction

In 2008 a school based Youth Drive Alive program was implemented in rural areas of Central Queensland.  The program was composed of training sessions covering:

• Program introduction
• The road rules (giving way)
• The road rules (signs, marking and general rules)
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Road safety is no accident
• Spinal injuries and awareness
• Crash factors
• Road aggression and risk management
• Buying a car and hazard perception

The course was held over a five month period, commencing in April 2008.  Over 320 students from various schools participated in the program, a majority of which were from Year 11.  Session delivery was provided by 32 facilitators who represented key stakeholders including Queensland Transport, Queensland Police, Queensland Fire and Rescue, Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT), Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) and the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ).

In addition to the above mentioned sessions, over 130 students who were located in regions which did not have access to a driving school were offered a practical driving component.

The training package provided evaluation tools to assess initial awareness of road safety, participant’s attitudes at both the beginning and end of the program, road safety campaign awareness and individual sessions.  While evaluation data was obtained from approximately half of the participating students, it only assessed the Alcohol and other drugs session and the overall program.

Alcohol and other drugs session

Alcohol and other drugs session evaluation data was collected from three of the participating schools, or 56 students.  Responses are as follows:

When you gain your licence, will the topic discussed influence your driving?  If so in what way?

Of the 56 evaluating students, 48 provided responses to this question as follows:

• 45 said it would positively influence their driving
• 3 said the program would not influence their driving (1 of these because it was never their intention to drink and drive anyway)

How do you believe this course can be further improved?

Of the 56 evaluating students, 22 suggested course improvements as follows:

• 3 asked for movies
• 3 asked for case studies
• 14 asked that the session be more interactive (with a better slideshow)
• 1 asked for all aspects to be improved
• 1 said it was too depressing

Evaluation on the overall reaction, workshop content, presenter and workshop pace are charted as follows:

Overall program evaluation

Overall program evaluation data was collected from five of the participating schools, or 97 students.  It is noted that the students who evaluated the overall program were the same ones who had access to the practical driving component.

The mix of males and females was fairly even.  Of the total number of students who participated in the survey, 27% did not have a licence with 58% holding ‘Learners’ and 13% holding ‘Provisional’ licences.  39% of those who held licences had accessed driving lessons.

Only 57% of students discussed the program with their parents, however 98% of parents were supportive.

The minimum grading students gave the course was ‘Good’ with the majority rating it ‘Very Good’.

While only 62% completed all of the Youth Drive Alive program courses, 97% of participants would recommend the course to their peers.

The most popular session was the practical driving component, which received no negative feedback, and theory was the least popular.  The Ripple Effect DVD was well received with most students appreciating the real life implications depicted in the video.  While most students did not seek additional help, 17% of those who answered this particular question sought practical driving assistance.  When asked if the government should provide more assistance to remote areas 48% of those who responded said that it should provide more driving schools, courses and education on highway and dirt road driving.

Students were also asked to suggest improvements to the course, the responses are tabled below.

Summary

A majority of students rated the Alcohol and other drugs session as positive and one which would positively influence their future driving.

The overall course was rated as positive and participants stated they would recommend it to other students.  The practical driving component was the most popular of all sessions and theory the least popular.

While these results are encouraging it would be valuable to have a more comprehensive evaluation which included students who did not have the practical driving experience and a capture of thoughts on the other sessions.  It would also be beneficial to undertake another survey of participating students in 12 months time to see if they felt their driving had improved as a direct result of this course.

It was interesting to note that one of the teachers completed an evaluation form.  This teacher was very enthusiastic about the program and the opportunities it provided his students.

Please note that data collected on the RACQ course registration forms was personal and therefore not tabulated.

2008 YOUTH DRIVE SAFE inc Q.T. YOUTH DRIVE ALIVE PROGRAM funded by XSTRATA COAL.

CENTRAL HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS.

Collinsville, Glenden, Clermont, Capella, Emerald, Middlemount,S.H.S, Marist College, Aust.Ag.Coll. Emerald.

Co-ordinator, Graeme Ransley travelled to Rockhampton, Emerald, Moranbah initially in February to discuss YDA, meet presenters, discuss BRAKE program, which has some similarities.

Co-ordinator then travelled to schools to discuss timing and get Principals to allow time in curriculum for the program.

Majority of schools agreed best to run in term 2, when students are starting to drive.

Program was mainly for yr 11 due to licence changes, but the smaller schools incorporated yr 12’s.

Brochures outlining program were sent to schools for each student to take home to parents, also small and large posters for school and community notice boards.

As requested by Principal, co-ordinator travelled to Collinsville to brief parents, teachers, QPS, ATODS, QFRS.

Most schools gave good coverage to program in weekly news letters.

The Youth Drive Alive component commenced 16/04/08 and completed 7/08/08

Involved 32 presenters from Q.F.R.S , Q.P.S., Q.T., S.E.A.T, A.T.O.D.S., XSTRATA, R.A.C.Q. Some difficulties encountered as three regions involved with most Govt, depts..

Emerald Schools co-ordinated by Chris Bates Q.T. Emerald.

Most sessions, [56] were of 70 mins, except Q.T, QFRS, which were mostly double sessions.

A couple of sessions were cancelled at last moment due to emergencies, sickness, but due to distances involved, impossible to get other presenters to location at short notice, generally, co-ordinator only advised later, after session missed.

Staff changes/long leave at schools also created problems, as seldom was the co-ordinator advised of these.

Where session evaluations were given to students by presenters, feed back was very positive.

The Ripple Effect dvd was sent to each school, for distribution to each student, some schools showed R/E to Yr 11 and 12’s

It was quite noticeable, a large number of yr 12 students leave for employment, or are transferred during the year, for example, 14 yr 12 students left from one class at Middlemount. It would appear programs such as RAAP, should be aimed at yr 11, as class numbers at mining town schools appear to be down to half by 4^th term for yr 12.

Planning began in June for the driving component, after investigation, RACQ Driver Education were engaged to supply a suitable program, with dual control cars, appropriate software for in class program, with very experienced staff.

Emerald SHS advised they had suitable driver trainers in the area, and did not have time for driving component, Marist did not come back with a definite decision, so it was decided to only run driving component in areas that do not have driving schools.

RACQ, commenced driving component at Glenden SHS ON 6/10/08, C/Ville 7/10/08, Clermont 8/10/08, Capella 9/10/08, M/mount 10/10/08.In the mornings, classroom sessions were conducted to half of class, while balance received practical instruction on ABS, Braking distances, Cabin drill, and practical driving.

All students received time behind the wheel where practical. Co-ordinator assisted as a driving instructor. Three cars, dual control. In afternoon swapped around, twice again, on road instruction given to L and P Platers.

There were up to four students in each car, on highway and suburban streets, this worked well, as even unlicenced students observed and skills learned.

In afternoon when time allowed, Ripple Effect was shown to students who had not seen it.

An anonymous, 18 question evaluation was given to students at the end of the day, before certificates and first aid kits were presented.

Judging by the comments and competency shown in car, and the evaluations, much more in car training is needed and requested.

Many students openly said the instruction  given by their parents was very contradictory to what they had learned, many had driven long distances fatigued while on learners to get their hours up. 100 hours of learning bad habits is not a good idea, they agreed.

It became obvious that parents need to engage professional driving instructors very early in the learners driving program, very difficult in small country towns, but very necessary.

It appears there is some lack of  understanding and communication between mining companies, offering driving programs to students, and not understanding some of what we have learned, eg, Capella SHS, have their yr 12 students doing a defensive driving course in late November, but we found many students, who have their licence but basic driving skills are very limited. We felt they should of finished the YDS program, then maybe the defensive driving. It is also now apparent, many yr 12 students have left school by 4^th term, most teachers commented yr 11 is more appropriate for driving programs.

There is considerable information to be condensed from the evaluation forms before commencing a similar program.

Approx 80% of students did have a current first aid certificate, most students  very appreciative of first aid kits.

I had discussions with Professor Lee Di Milia, in October of how the information on evaluation forms could be collated and assessed. He suggested a senior University student in Mackay, Kathie Anderson, whose employment also gave her experience in preparing a report like this. Kathie was consulted and engaged to produce this report.

This report was finalised and forwarded to Noel Lang for forwarding to Xstrata Coal.

The YDA part of the program delivered a wide spectrum of information to over 320 students, Road Rules, Alcohol other Drugs, Spinal Injuries, Crash Factors, Road Aggression, Road Safety, Buying cars, Free2 go,, the driving component to over 130 students behind the wheel, reinforced with videos, brochures, practical lectures by experienced trainers will start these students on a much safer road.

Sincere thanks to XSTRATA COAL for funding this worthwhile project.

Special thanks also to Paul Dwyer at VISUALGRAHICS, all the staff who assisted from the various govt.depts., Colin Goodsell, RACQ,, the Principals and staff who assisted,

GRAEME RANSLEY

RAAG  YDS Coordinator

Nebo Road Safe 2009,2010, 2011, 2012,2013, 2014 Campaign

The Road Accident Action Group, [R.A.A.G.] would like to congratulate the Nebo Community Development Group Inc. on their ongoing road safety campaign.

The combined community effort has again made a large impact on many thousands of people that travel the Peak Downs Highway, road safety is a very important part of Nebo.

The awareness of road safety to the children in Nebo has been reinforced with their drawings on 240 signs, [I must admit my favourite is the look on a cows face, with a car bouncing off, classic!, in recent years staff from BMC South Walker have assisted with sign maintenance.]

The effort by a couple from Ipswich who take a week off to come up and assist manning the rest stop, put’s real meaning into a project that they feel is worthwhile.

The significant donations for a cup of coffee also show just how much the campaign is worth to many, I spoke with a lady who lost her son in a road crash near Middlemount a few years ago, her enthusiasm and positive comments really felt the hours put in by the many volunteers invaluable.

How can you measure the impact of the large electronic signs cost donation, one life saved or serious injury prevented, makes it worthwhile.

Every driver and traveller takes notice in some way of the crash site signs, many new drivers to the Peak Downs Highway and passengers are shocked, the fatal sites must have an effect.

It brings the message home to every driver; right now, the choices and decisions he or she makes can be life or death, being reminded virtually every kilometre leaves no excuses.

The effects of the whole campaign are now starting to show statistically, crashes are certainly less when the crash site signs are up, the Peak Downs Highway had fewer fatalities than before the campaign started.

The assistance for the campaign from mining companies and council, with loan of equipment, the bus, the generators, the staff for the night shift, the sponsorship of  radio adds, all need to be thanked, the effect is, these staff, companies and families all put more thought into road safety.

Many of these crashes were fatigue related, the signs also serve as a reminder to families to plan fatigue, as many of the crashes are on the way to work, plan time off, do not head off Monday morning or after a shift break fatigued. From 2012, signs have been placed in clusters at strategic locations, representing headstones at graveyards, a risk assessment made it clear, it was too dangerous to place and remove individual signs along the highway.

It is up to every driver to slow down, buckle up and make clear headed decisions, stop for a power nap if tired, stay alert and alive to get home to your family.

On behalf of all users of the Peak Downs Highway, R.A.A.G. would like to thank the Nebo Community Development Group for their fantastic effort in reducing road trauma.

Graeme Ransley,  Road Safety Coordinator,  R.A.A.G.

Project Purpose:

To utilise H.V. Driver Training Trucks with road safety messages to decrease road trauma.

Statement of purpose [from RAAG Strategic Plan 2009-2012]

To ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to reducing the incidence and severity of road crashes on the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and St Lawrence, the Peak Downs Highway and associated western arterial roads by targeting identified crash causal factors through driver education programs and initiatives.

In line with RAAG Inc Strategic Plan.  

1.2       Conduct targeted advertising and promotion to raise awareness among young drivers. 

1.5       Interfacing with target group and distribution of educational material at strategic times and places. 

4.3       Conduct targeted advertising and promotion to raise awareness of the dangers associated with risky driving behaviour. 

Rationale: 

The RAAG Inc Action Planning meeting in April 2010 reviewed a number of photos of innovative signage used by interstate road authorities; discussion ensued on how best we could use these ideas for maximum impact with drivers in the Mackay region. 

An offer was made by Peter Lewis of PK’S Truck Wise Driving Services for several driver trainer trucks that are not loaded, which could carry mobile signage, e.g. an A frame or a shipping container with removable vinyl road safety messages. These trucks are constantly on the move, highly visible, operate around Mackay, Airlie Beach, Moranbah, Clermont,  an advantage is containers could even be dropped off at strategic locations for special campaigns. 

After consultation with Paul Dwyer, of Visual Graphics Mackay, it became apparent 20’ shipping containers would work best with the advantage, if the project is closed down for any reason the cost of the containers are easily recovered. Also, other members could easily transport containers to say a mining town e.g. Nebo Road Safe September, or for a special function, the signs being mounted in tracks could easily be changed around. 

Peter Lewis has indicated as his part of the project he would carry these at no cost, he would like RAAG Inc to partner with an organisation as he will purchase the first two containers if need be and another company sponsor the signage. If purchased by PK’s Truck Wise the containers to remain the property of PK’s Truck Wise. 

It is envisaged the sponsor companies would be adequately identified as working with RAAG Inc in road safety on each sign, a max of 7.5% of sign space to each company. 

RAAG Inc see this as an opportunity to get out road safety messages to a huge number of people and to address getting road safety messages out that will have proven effects. For e.g. the rear of the container could have a strong message on tailgating and the correct distances between vehicles. 

Other ideas for the rear are “slowing down won’t kill you”, “Long time dead, so what’s the Hurry” 

Another example for the sides is an innovative picture message of driving with lights on “Lights on and Live”. Research will be conducted with guidance from DTMR Road Safety on designs; also Paul Dwyer from Visual Graphics a RAAG member has offered his graphic artist to assist with some design examples. 

The trucks are often parked between jobs on main arterial roads and so the signs are working 7 days a week, during eve 

Who Will Benefit?

• The community.
• Economic gains from less road trauma.
• Decreased load on emergency services.
• Reduced social stress from the ripple effect of injuries and fatalities to families.

Project Timeline

April 2010: Write Project Brief.

May 2010: Prepare examples of signs for graphic artist, prepare preliminary ideas.

Present Project Brief to RAAG General Meeting for Approval

Prepare project proposals for sponsors

June 2010: Finalise agreement with sponsors, [set time two year project time frame]

Note a contingency amount of 10% of the value of the signs will be added for repairs per annum.

Insurance: PK’s Truck Wise insurance will cover the containers and signage whilst       unloading and loading the container and whilst in transit on the truck and or trailer.

Insurance for containers and signage if used at a special event must be arranged in writing prior to the event, at the expense of the special event organiser.

Invoice sponsor for project and bank the funding for the project

Prepare quotes, for containers and signs

Give go ahead to sign manufacturer to prepare designs

Oct. 2010 Present designs to RAAG committee and sponsor for approval

Purchase shipping containers

Write orders for and arrange manufacture of signs and mounting on containers

Nov. 2010: Commence display of signage on trucks

December 2010: August 2012:  Road Safety Coordinator to conduct monthly inspection of signs.

January 2011: Decision made whether to expand project to two more containers based on evaluation. Decision made for the project to stay at present status.

March 2011: Decision made for freight compaines to use the designs if requested.

October 2011: Project entered into the Australian Road Safety Awards and the Queensland Road Safety Awards.

June 2012: Commence re-negotiation of sponsors, re- assess validity of signage.

September 2012: Close down project if not sustainable

Evaluation

Coverage by media will give some idea of interest.

Letters from associated interest groups on their thoughts on effectiveness, e.g . . . . RACQ etc

Feedback from the public will be sort, e.g. msm messages in the newspaper.

A Radio talkback show will be conducted to get feedback.

Interest from companies to come on board as sponsors should be a good measure.

Comment from companies and departments involved in RAAG will be sort, with the view to going to two more containers in January 2011

Peter Lewis will be asked to give a written report to RAAG at the January meeting as to problems, feedback, issues that need to be rectified.

Media releases will be conducted with sufficient info to create interest stories in the local media.

Risk Management

Safety:  Assurance from sign manufacturer signs is safe at a continuous speed of 100kph.

Advice from DTMR Road Safety, signs are not offensive, discriminatory etc

Inquiry will be made on copyright infringement, and hold RAAG copyright to new designs.

A driver could be distracted reading a sign and crash, advice will be sort from Q.P.S. as to  RAAG liability.

RAAG public liability insurance will be sent the project brief to ensure we are covered, prior to manufacture of signs..

Inquiries will be conducted to with DTMR Inspectors to ensure signage is legal.

Peter Lewis to advise in writing containers and signs are covered under his insurance

Copy of project brief to Mackay Regional Council rep on RAAG for advice.