From primary students forming giant safety messages beneath a drone to Year 12 students watching vehicles dropped at simulated highway speeds, 4RFM took road safety out of the classroom and made it real. For young people growing up in the Isaac region where heavy vehicles, mine access roads and long-distance travel are part of everyday life, understanding the realities of road safety is an important lesson long before they get behind the wheel.
Held annually since 2019, the station’s Road Safety Week brought together schools, emergency services, businesses and community organisations to give students experiences they could see, hear and take part in.
Primary students from Moranbah East State School, Moranbah State School and Coppabella State School became part of a creative drone photography project, with each class forming a giant letter on the oval.
Those letters were combined to create Drive Sober, Slow Down, Eyes Up, Stay Alert, Do It For Us and Arrive Safe.
The completed images were later unveiled at school parades, showing students how their individual contribution had become part of something much bigger.
4RFM Station Manager Tania Gillies said the aim was to make road safety more than another classroom discussion.
“We wanted to do more than tell students to slow down or stay alert. We wanted them to see, hear and take part in something they would remember when they eventually get behind the wheel.
“For the younger students, the drone project gave them a fun way to be part of the campaign while still reinforcing words that matter.”
For Moranbah State High School’s Year 12 students, the focus shifted from awareness to consequence. They attended a hands-on excursion where three vehicles were dropped to simulate crashes at 60km/h, 100km/h and 120km/h, demonstrating just how dramatically the outcome can change as speed increases.
Students also watched a live crash and rescue scenario involving Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department and Queensland Ambulance Service personnel, providing a firsthand look at the response required when serious crashes occur.
The program finished with a heavy vehicle safety session covering trucks, B-doubles, oversize vehicles and long loads – a practical reminder of the conditions young drivers are likely to encounter on roads throughout the Isaac region.
Tania said the program was designed to reach students at different stages, from primary school passengers through to young people preparing to drive independently.
“The primary school activities start the conversation early, while the Year 12 program shows just how serious the consequences can be.”
Road Safety Week was supported by BHP, Kinetic, Isaac Regional Council, Surelift Crane Hire, Queensland Rigging Hire, The Hornery Group, Melly’s Café, local emergency services, Road Safe Moranbah and the participating schools.
“This week only happens because schools, emergency services and local businesses are willing to put their time, equipment and experience behind it. Everyone involved wants the same thing, for our young people to make it home safely.”
