Blue Datto’s Keeping Safe Program was named Best School Program at the 2017 Australian Road Safety Awards in March, overcoming 14 other finalists to take out the accolade.

Blue Datto’s CEO Erin Vassallo was in Melbourne to accept the award on behalf of the Foundation and said that the Foundation was extremely grateful to receive such an award.

Keeping Safe was recognised for its innovative approach to road safety including the way it aims to help change attitudes and behaviours and empower young drivers to make safer, smarter decision.

Blue Datto’s use of Peer Mentors, who help deliver the program, is also extremely innovative – helping the Keeping Safe program stand out from the crowd.

The Australian Road Safety Awards program presented by Caltex Australia was extremely competitive with finalists representing a broad spectrum of community, government and industry organisations and individuals.

The Australian Road Safety Foundation designed the Awards program to help raise general awareness about road and driver safety and to promote strategies and initiatives that address road safety issues across all sectors.

Blue Datto is extremely grateful for the ongoing support we receive from local and national media who help us raise awareness and tell our story. In case you missed them, here are some recent stories featuring the Blue Datto Foundation.

A Current Affair

 

Sydney Morning Herald

Secondhand danger: Old cars increase risk for younger drivers, research shows By Julie Power

NSW’s youngest and most at-risk drivers are continuing to drive vehicles older than 10 years, which tests have shown may quadruple their chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Nearly 80 per cent of young drivers under 20 who died and 71 per cent of those who seriously injured in car crashes on the state’s roads in the past five years were driving cars older than 10 years, an expert from the NSW Centre for Road Safety told a seminar of safety experts last week.

Nearly 80 per cent of young drivers under 20 who died and 71 per cent of those who seriously injured in car crashes on the state’s roads in the past five years were driving cars older than 10 years, an expert from the NSW Centre for Road Safety told a seminar of safety experts last week.

Click here to read the full article.

 

Central Coast Express Advocate

Blue Datto road safety campaign revs up on the Coast By Richard Noone

Click here to read the full article.

 

Penrith Press

Family drive home important message to save lives on roads By Kurt Gardoll

Click here to read the full article.

In late May the Blue Datto Foundation was pleased to launch its programs on the Central Cost - a region that continues to be devastated by young fatalities on its roads.

Beginning with a series of free community and parent programs over Winter, Blue Datto will now focus on delivering its first school-based Keeping Safe programs in Term 4 hoping to help get the message out to vulnerable young drivers.

“Sadly we have seen a number of fatalities up here on the Central Coast courtesy of what is speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving fatigued or distracted by mobile phones. These lives are being lost needlessly courtesy of selfish driving behaviour,” said NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Chief Inspector Phillip Brooks at the launch.

“Given the significant presence on the Central Coast that young drivers have our message is quite strong - we need to partner with agencies such as Blue Datto to make sure that young drivers know what the risks are.”

“This is a very important step in road safety, right throughout the NSW Central Coast, if not the entire state.”

Until now Blue Datto has been delivering programs in Western Sydney and the Hawkesbury regions, however in direct response to the number of tragic deaths on Coast roads, the Foundation set its sights on the Central Coast.

“A lot of our staff are Central Coast residents and it seems every month we’re seeing more and more lives lost. If you look at data from the last five years the Central Coast ranks second in the state for the most fatalities and serious injuries- and we need to do more locally to change this,” said Blue Datto CEO Erin Vassallo.

Blue Datto is looking for local Central Coast businesses who may be in a position to sponsor Keeping Safe programs for local schools.

For further information contact us at <a href=”mailto:info@bluedatto.org.au”>info@bluedatto.org.au</a>.

On 23 November, Blue Datto showcased its first behavioural road safety program to Year 10 students at Bede Polding College, South Windsor, teaching them how to speak up and get out of difficult situations as they become drivers and passengers in peer driven cars.

The program was presented to over 220 students, by peer facilitators in work shop sessions, and provided opportunities for interaction and sharing ideas, small and large group discussions. In addition, there were presentations about the issues for young drivers and passengers including a presentation on a real life case study.

Following the F2D program, Grace Vassallo & Lauren Northen (Philip’s sister) spoke about Phil and why the foundation was formed, and how important and relevant this program is to the students. Videorecordings from Blue Datto’s Ambassadors Liz Ellis and Mark Geyer were also presented, sending their messages of support. They also emphasised the importance of how a change in behaviour and attitude towards driving is needed and is a must, every single time you’re in a motor vehicle, either as a driver or passenger.