Driving instructors Chris Jarman and Steve Undo taught students a valuable lesson about stopping distances along Station Road, Clare, as part of the Rotary Young Driver Awareness program on Monday and Tuesday.

With a driver and a car full of students, it was as close to the real thing as possible for passengers in the stopping distances talk.

“Some of the students had never been driven at 80 kilometres per hour and suddenly stopped, nor have many of them learnt about the distance and time it takes to stop at certain speeds, I think it had an impact on the students,” Rotary Club of Clare president Barrie Smith said. “Thanks to Smith’s Mid North Motor Company for the loan of the cars for the program.”

The two-day program gave students an insight into owning a car and the importance of being sensible and safe whilst driving.

With six different sessions, the program targeted students from the ages of 15 to 17 from Balaklava High School, Horizon Christian School, Clare High School, Snowtown Area School and Riverton and Districts High School.

With more than 140 students throughout the duration of the program, each were given a coloured wristband placing them in mixed school groups.

Mr Smith recognised the importance of running the RYDA program in the Mid North to help young drivers understand the full implications of motoring.

The Rotary Club of Clare is the third club in South Australia to take on the initiative.

Presenters included recovering road crash survivor Steve Wurfel, safe celebrating and fatigue educator Linda Stanway, Senior Constable Mark Hill, Nuriootpa Drug Action team representative Sergeant Bob Elliot, local driving instructors Chris Jarman and Steve Undo and legal and financial responsibilities presenter Peter Jackson.

Mr Smith hoped the event will be held annually in the Mid North and urged all parents and students to have a look at the RYDA website, to learn all about the program. www.ryda.org.au