What
is RYDA?
RYDA a not-for-profit company (limited by guarantee),
is an organisation that has developed a road safety education program
delivered to the youth of our community through Rotary Clubs. The Program is directed towards our young
people about road safety as they approach the period in their life when
they start driving a car and ride as a passenger in a car driven by one of
their peers.
How long has RYDA been operating?
Established in 2000 in northern
metropolitan Sydney
the Program has grown rapidly as a result of strong demand from
schools. Over 75,000 students have
participated in the Program since inception. Such is the demand it is
expected that by 2009, students participating in the Program in that year
alone will exceed 40,000.
Where is the Program offered?
An initiative of Rotary District 9680
(covering the area from Sydney Harbour north to the Central Coast)
the Program is now available in the following areas:
New
South Wales
Homebush, Penrith, St Ives
Central Coast, Illawarra
Bathurst, Bega, Cowra, Dubbo, Kempsey, Leeton, Moruya, Nambucca Heads,
Narrabri, Orange, Taree, Wagga Wagga, Young
Queensland
Mackay, Mt
Cotton
South Australia
Adelaide, Barossa Valley
Tasmania
Devonport, Hobart, Launceston
Western Australia
Perth
RYDA's Mission
- To provide first quality
road safety information to youth
- To help ensure that when
young people commence driving they have had the best road safety
education possible.
The Program targets Year 11 students
- This is the time most
young people are starting to think about driving so their interest
levels are high
- Once young people leave
school they are not available as a group to receive such education
- Peer pressure has a major
effect on students this age. The program addresses students as both
drivers and passengers in order to change the environment in the car
rather than focusing solely on the driver
- Research shows that once
young drivers start driving they are less receptive to safety messages
because they have an unfounded belief in their own competency - so the
window of opportunity is quite narrow.
- Schools have a duty to
deliver this information in Year 11 but find it almost impossible to
resource an expert program, with experienced professionals who have
had experience at the "coal face"
- This best practice program
means that the content and delivery meets criteria established by
expert authorities (approved by RYDA) including the Department of
Transport and the Department of Education and Training.
The Program was initially developed
in consultation with
- NSW Roads & Traffic
Authority
- NSW Police Department
- NSW Department of
Education and Training
- NSW Department of Health
- NSW Office of Fair Trading
Partnering with the Community - How
the Program is supported
RYDA and participating Rotary Clubs partner
with those organisations in our community which have a responsibility for,
or an interest in, road safety for our youth. The Program is developed and
updated in consultation with State Government authorities having
responsibility for Roads and Education, Health and the Police. Local
councils and the business and philanthropic community support the Program.
Students contribute to the cost with Rotary Clubs picking up all cases of
hardship so that no student is denied the opportunity of attending the Program.
