Emergency doc joins driver training to save teen lives

Of all of the emotionally distressing things Townsville University Hospital emergency physician Dr Luke Lawton sees in his job, badly injured and dead teenagers from car accidents are the worst.

Five years ago, Dr Lawton took the bull by the horns and applied for a community road safety grant to run a safe-driving course for local high schools.

Today it was students from St Patrick’s College Townsville who spent the day with Dr Lawton and staff from the Advanced Driver Training Centre in traffic simulations and conversations about road safety.

Year 12 student Mala Brooks, 17, said while she loved the independence of being a P-plater, the course had helped her understand the responsibility of being behind the wheel.

“It’s important that I know how to drive to weather conditions, look out for other drivers’ behaviours, and avoid distractions like music and chat,” she said.

Student Holly Chisnell, 16, said learning to be safe on the road was a priority.

“I have 62 hours on my learner’s permit, and I want to be the safest driver I can be for myself and other road users,” she said.

Tahliah Webster, 16, said the egg and spoon race was the high point of her day.

“They put a ball on an elevated platform, and we had to navigate around it without knocking the ball off while surrounded by music and loud chatter to simulate distractions,” she said.

There is no doubt in Dr Lawton’s mind that the program is saving lives.

“The program provides not only the practical skills but also clearly makes kids see the consequences of speeding, drugs and alcohol, distracted driving, fatigue, loud music, phones, and talking to mates rather paying attention to the road,” he said.

“My part of the training is on the medical and human consequences of accidents, how to assist at an accident scene, and some home truths about drugs, alcohol, and cars.”

Dr Lawton said the consequences of a high-impact car accident were catastrophic.

“Most people read or hear about someone being killed or critically injured in a car accident but probably don’t give a lot of thought to what actually happens,” he said.

“A human body involved in a high-speed accident suffers disastrous consequences.”

Advanced Driver Training Centre director Colin Ugarte said the program had been delivered to more than 600 students over the past five years.

“This program is about giving teenagers practical and preventative education including exploring situations that can happen when you’re in a car,” he said.