IT WAS a confronting and shocking re-enactment.
But the message was real — be smart.
A dramatic road-safety program targeted at teenagers was a lesson they'd never forget.
The bstreetsmart event at Sydney's Allphones Arena gave young people the chance to witness a car crash as viewed by emergency workers.
Several St George high schools were invited to the 10th year of the event, which aimed to educate years 10 to 12 students about behind-the-wheel risk-taking.
Organised by trauma nurses from Westmead Hospital, bstreetsmart is an award-winning program that gives students a realistic look at the effects of high-risk road behaviour.
It gives them information and strategies in an attempt to reduce serious injuries and deaths.
Students observed a re-enacted crash staged by actors, heard stories from car-crash survivors and learnt about the possible legal consequences of accidents.
Research by the University of NSW showed students who did the program had changed attitudes towards driving and were more likely to retain road-safety messages for a longer period of time.
Georges River College Peakhurst, Marist College Penshurst and Moorefield Girls and St George Girls high schools participated this year.
