Limiting risks, protecting lives – Choices for novice drivers and their passengers
Resource overview
This resource for Stages 5 and 6 encourages students to analyse their attitudes and behaviours as drivers and passengers, with a wide range of questions to promote deeper thinking and knowledge. Modules include research on road crash data relating to speed, how to get a drivers licence, strategies to become low-risk drivers and the common causes of crashes. For current statistical information visit the Centre for Road Safety website.
Related curriculum
Student wellbeing and pastoral care courses.
Teacher and student resources
The introduction provides information on how to use the four sections within the resource. There are separate teacher information sheets and student worksheets for each section.
Introductory module
Student worksheets
Module 1: Getting a licence – facts, challenges and reducing the risk
This module focuses on learning to drive, the conditions of learner and provisional licences and the responsibilities that come with driving a car.
Additional information
Students learn how to move through the Graduated Licensing Scheme, about the conditions of holding a licence and the decisions of some young people not to rush to apply.
Related media files
Module 2: Safer driving – it’s all about thinking and acting safely
Students learn about the common hazards young drivers face and explore new skills of how to best deal with them.
Additional information
This module includes activities on the human factors often involved in crashes, managing distractions, making good decisions and on the influences that shape learning skills.
Student worksheets
- Student sheet 2.2.1 (PDF | 28.29 KB)
- Student sheet 2.2.2 (PDF | 28.54 KB)
- Student sheet 2.2.3 - Managing distractions script
- Student sheet 2.2.4 - Managing distractions checklist
- Student sheet 2.3.1 - Low risk driving skills
- Student sheet 2.4.1 (PDF | 28.48 KB)
- Student sheet 2.5.1 (PDF | 34.37 KB)
- Student sheet 2.5.2 - Making good decisions game (group response sheet)
- Student sheet 2.5.3 - Thinking hats
Module 3: Driving – the early years
This module covers the early years of driving as a provisional licence holder and explores the consequences of speeding, drink driving and mobile phone use. Use this module to encourage critical thinking.
Additional information
Students are presented with the high rates of death and injury of young drivers and view a film that explores the social, emotional and financial implications of a crash that kills the driver’s best friend.
Student worksheets
Related media files
Module 4: Inexperience in the road environment
Students explore some of the factors that are of greatest risk to younger drivers, including driver distraction, fatigue, alcohol and speeding.
Additional information
Activities help students rank crash types in order of prevalence, analyse common causes of crashes and explore pressure scenarios through role playing.
Student worksheets
- Student sheet 4.2.1 (PDF | 640.09 KB)
- Student sheet 4.3.1a - Road risk - mobile phones (group response template)
- Student sheet 4.3.1b - Road risk - fatigue (group response template)
- Student sheet 4.3.1c - Road risk - speed (group response template)
- Student sheet 4.3.2 - Causes of crashes - three two one
- Student sheet 4.4.1 - Under pressure role statements
- Student sheet 4.4.2 - Under pressure role play - observation sheet
- Student sheet 4.4.3 - Under pressure role play - alternative scenario
Module 5: Poor judgement – drugs, alcohol and driving
This module highlights the risks that alcohol and other drugs pose, from the different perspectives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Additional information
Activities include drug impact cards, which students use to develop lists of possible risks that drivers might take, and analysis of a drink driving advertising campaign. Students also research roadside drug testing and respond to a film that previews a young driver who will kill his best mate in a crash on the night of his 18th birthday.
In this module, students will participate in the following activities:
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Activity 5.1 - What we know about drink and drug driving - a not-so rich list
This activity focuses on risks associated with combining alcohol and/or drugs with driving.
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Activity 5.2 - Drinking, drugs and driving: sudden impact
This activity explores some of the specific risk behaviours that can result from alcohol and/or drug use.
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Activity 5.3 - Analysing advertising campaigns
This activity involves students analysing the effectiveness of Transport for NSW advertising campaigns.
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Activity 5.4a - Getting home from a night out: Who would you want to drive you home? New
In this activity students explore and practice refusal skills, assertive behaviours and avoidance techniques.
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Activity 5.4b - Mobile drug testing (MDT): What it is and how does it work? New
In response to the MDT video, students explore the MDT process, consequences of drug driving and strategies to stay safe.
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Activity 5.4c - Mobile drug testing (MDT): Your thoughts New
In response to the MDT video, students explore the MDT process, consequences of drug driving and strategies to stay safe.
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Activity 5.5 - The birthday present
This activity involves students analysing and responding to short film about young people and road crashes.
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Activity 5.6 - Support networks
This activity enables students to explore the support networks available to themselves and other young people.
Student worksheets
- 5.2.1 Student sheet: Drug impact cards (PDF | 33.53 KB)
- Student sheet 5.3.1 - Promoting safer drivers - TfNSW campaigns
- 5.4a.1 Student sheet: Character cards (PDF | 69.27 KB)
- 5.4a.2 Student sheet: Who would you want to drive you home? (PDF | 70.8 KB)
- 5.4a.3 Student sheet: What would work for you? (PDF | 63.69 KB)
- 5.4b.1 Student sheet: What should a driver do? (PDF | 57.89 KB)
- 5.4c.1 Student sheet: What do you think? (PDF | 66.17 KB)
Module 6: Let’s make it personal
Students explore their local environment and find ways of travelling safely to and from parties and celebrations. They also assess their road user responsibilities, whether as passengers, pedestrians or drivers.
Additional information
Students list local social hot spots and identify those that pose the highest risk to young people. By working in groups, they prepare a party pack with an invitation, security tag and pamphlets explaining travel hazards and strategies to minimise harm.
Last update: 8th June 2017