The NSW Government will introduce full-day driving education classes at more than 200 schools to try to curb reckless driving.
In one of the most powerful and confronting aspects of the course, road-accident survivors - including some confined to wheelchairs - and emergency workers will speak to students about their experiences.
The move to address road safety issues in schools comes after The Sunday Telegraph revealed that the number of P-plate drivers killed on NSW roads had risen this year and followed the death of four teenagers near Byron Bay last month.
Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal said the personal experiences of accident survivors would be the most impressive part of the program.
"Hearing first-hand from survivors is a sobering reminder to young drivers that they take their lives in their hands every time they get behind the wheel,'' he said.
"It's also about hearing from the emergency workers who are confronted with scenes of carnage, and bringing the reality of it all to young drivers.
"Young drivers have to get the message that their actions have consequences.''
More than 20,000 students will take part in the scheme for an initial two years, with the option of extending it if it proves successful in reducing accidents.
Groups of 20 to 30 students will undergo six separate sessions in the one-day course, learning about hazard perception, safe celebrating and the dangers of driving while suffering from fatigue.
In one of the sessions, students will sit in the passenger seat while a licensed driving instructor brakes from 40km/h, 60km/h and 80km/h to demonstrate how long it takes to stop at higher speeds.
Sedans with anti-locking brakes or people-movers will be used forthe demonstrations.
A police officer, two crash survivors and their carers, three driving instructors, a financial adviser and a drug and alcohol counsellor will attend the courses.
This year, 33 P-plate drivers, aged 17 to 20, have died on NSW roads to the end of September.
This is an increase of 42 per cent over the 19 P-plate drivers killed during the corresponding period last year, Australian Transport Safety Bureau data shows.
The new program, which will cost the Government $135,000, will form part of a $2.8 million road safety education initiative.
Sponsorship and in-kind support from local organisations will contribute to the running of the program.
Mr Roozendaal said education at a young age influenced driver behaviour for a lifetime.
The program, designed originally by Rotary, has been developed in conjunction with the RTA, police, health authorities and the Department of Education and Training.
