Harsh lessons to be learnt at Attitudinal Drivers Workshop
Last night I had the privilege to drive out to Victoria Point to attend the Attitudinal Drivers Workshop. The workshop uses a variety of techniques to change the attitude and behaviour of motorists, with particular focus on young and inexperienced drivers.
A/Inspector Darren Cassidy, Dr Chris May, Commissioner Ian Stewart, Senior Constables Lochlan Patterson and Neil Punchard and Senior Fire Fighter George Phillips
Commissioner Ian Stewart and A/Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating of the Road Policing Command were also in attendance at the workshop which is now held at the Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club.
A/Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating addresses the audience.
We were in an audience of more than 130 people who heard from guest speakers including Senior Fire Fighter George Phillips, Dr Chris May and Mr Doug Wright. Senior Constables Lochlan Patterson and Neil Punchard have been running the workshops and they gave first hand accounts of their experiences of dealing with the trauma caused by traffic crashes.
Dr Chris May delivers his presentation.
All the presentations given are informative, at times humorous and very confrontational. Dr Chris May discusses his role in the Emergency Department. He talked poignantly about the difficulty he had of informing parents that their child had died as a result of a traffic crash. Senior Fire Fighter George Phillips’ interactive presentation used lots of examples to shake us from our complacency.
Senior Fire Fighter George Phillips’ interactive presentation.
The centrepiece of the evening was the presentation given by Mr Doug Wright who suffered extensive leg injuries in a crash. His story and personal journey of rehabilitation is particularly moving. To hear the impact of the crash on his whole life, not just the physical damage was harrowing.
The workshops run every second Monday of the month at Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club. To attend call Senior Constable Lochlan Patterson on 3801 5522.
