In 2023, Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA) collaborated with the Western Australia (WA) Road Safety Commission to deliver impactful road safety education across the state as part of National Road Safety Week. The initiative aimed to empower young people in regional and metropolitan WA to make informed decisions about road safety while engaging them in advocacy for safer road practices.
As the host state for National Road Safety Week, WA was chosen to lead the charge with youth-focused events that not only raised awareness but also gathered critical data for policy discussions during roundtable sessions by young people. YLAA played a crucial role in the design, development, and delivery of road safety content tailored for youth engagement, focusing on interactive and empowering approaches to road safety.
Perth Metro Event
The flagship "Road Safety Starts with Me" Youth Summit took place on May 16 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with over 800 students from Years 10 to 12. The event featured keynote presentations from individuals with lived experiences of road trauma, as well as interactive workshops and breakout sessions. The objective was to foster positive road safety behaviors and improve decision-making among young adults.
Regional Road Safety Events
- YLAA took the summit model on the road, successfully delivering regional events in Albany, Geraldton, and Narembeen. The final regional event was planned for Bunbury, ensuring that young people across WA had access to valuable road safety education and leadership opportunities.
- Each regional event was aligned with the Australian Curriculum, incorporating experiential learning, peer-to-peer interactions, and leadership development focused on personal and community responsibility.
YLAA's Role in the Project
- Design, Development, and Delivery of Content: YLAA was responsible for creating and delivering engaging road safety content for both regional and metro events, ensuring it was relevant and impactful for young audiences.
- Consultation on School Engagement: YLAA provided strategic consultation to the WA Road Safety Commission on how to effectively engage schools and ensure broad participation in the events, aligning with educational objectives and youth interests.
- Empowered Approach to Road Safety: YLAA designed content with an empowered, solutions-focused approach, emphasizing personal responsibility and positive leadership, rather than a trauma-scaring method.
- Youth-Led Advocacy: YLAA ensured the content encouraged youth to take ownership of road safety, fostering a proactive mindset where students could lead discussions, reflect on their own actions, and advocate for safer road practices within their communities.
