Trauma Service
Public Information
2006 Youth and Road Trauma Forum
Westmead Hospital and NRMA Motoring and services are holding a Youth and Road Trauma Forum on April 3 and 4 2006. The forum is being held as part of Youth Week and will take place at the Superdome, Homebush.
It is anticipated that about 6,000 students in years 10,11, and 12 from across NSW and the ACT will take part in the forum and get first -hand experience of the risks and responsibilities associated with driving.
Young people attending the forum will see a re-enactment of what occurs after a car crash complete with the interaction of all emergency services. This will provide them with a real view of the trauma caused by road crashes.
The day will also include an exciting combination of demonstrations, crash dynamics and rescue, vehicle stopping distances and active exhibits. All aimed at helping young people make decisions that reduce their risk of being in a crash.
The forum will include displays relating to youth trauma and safety from Westmead Hospital’s Emergency Department, Brain injury Unit, Organ Donation and Drug and Alcohol. The NSW Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, Careflight, SES, St John Ambulance, Red Cross and other organisations are involved in this forum.
NRMA’s state-of-the-art road safety truck, the Mobile Member Centre will be present along with NRMA vehicle safety experts, vehicle inspectors and staff from the newly developed NRMA Safer Driving School.
Young people account for only 15% of licence holders but more than a third of road fatalities. A 17-year-old-driver with a P1 licence, is four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a driver aged 26 or older.
Nearly 1/2 all trauma admission to NSW Hospitals in 2004 with serious injuries were the result of road trauma and of these admissions, 28% were aged 15 – 24. 80% of these were male and 20% were female.
There has been a 10% increase in motorbike crashes but a 5% decrease in the death rate. Pedestrian trauma has increased by 7% but a 5% decrease in the death rate. Paediatric road trauma has increased by 7% with a 5% decrease in the death rate.
Friday and Saturday continue to be the most common days of week for crashes
30% of all Trauma Admissions to Westmead Hospital in 2005 were the result of road trauma and 1/3 of these road trauma admissions were aged 15 – 25.
The forum is aimed at raising the awareness of high school students to road trauma injury prevention strategies. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the extent of road trauma related injuries and the implications of these on the victim and the community both in the short and the long term.
Maintained by: Linda Gutierrez
Last Updated: September, 2006
