The Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program, which has been running for eight years, has touched over 100,000 Year 11 students and has this year been made available to Hunter Valley schools.

The students from Maitland Grossmann High School as well as Tocal College were educated on hazard perception, stopping distances, fatigue, and financial responsibilities as well as speaking with a person who has experienced a devastating road accident.

RYDA program development director Greg Rappo said the organisation was pleased to bring the program to the Hunter Valley.

“We’re pleased to be here and to educate and inform the young people who are soon going to be on our roads,” Mr Rappo said.

“It’s an important message we’re bringing and we aim to get students involved and make them aware of some of the hazards before they get behind the wheel and think they are bulletproof.”

Mr Rappo said the program targets young people as they are about to obtain their learner’s licence.

“Experience indicates that once young people actually start driving, it is generally too late for training as they have already developed a strong – and often incorrect – belief in their own competencies.”

The program will be run again on July 3 at Tocal College with students from Maitland High School this time in attendance.