Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
Driving
Now I have a 19 year old and a 21 year old (who do frequent long hauls), so you know that I have had many restless nights while they are on the road. I’m sure I won’t be completely at ease for a few years yet. The Red Ps rite of passage is one of those moments where you pray that you have done something right with your parenting.
From the teacher aspect…what could wrong? 17 year olds , search for identity, ransomed by peer pressure, mates turning 18, alcohol, first flush of freedom….
As with so many things, I have a LONG driving speech and, as with so many things, I know that it won’t cure the problem. But one kid might remember it, and one makes it worth it. The vast majority come through it (maybe with some panel damage to varying degrees), but some don’t. After suicide (alas), car accidents head the grim list of causes of death for young Australians.
The Year 12 Trials remind me that (as a consequence of being around for a long time) I have far too many “too excited after exams, wasn’t thinking” bad car and motorbike stories. All too frequently I hear of near misses and poor decisions.
I have been to funerals.
This is from the Government site, repeat after me:
When on your red Ps, you must:
- only drive cars
- display red P plates clearly on the front and back of the car, on the outside
- only tow trailers up to 250 kilograms of unloaded weight, and you must display your red Ps on the back of the trailer
- ensure everyone in the car is in a seat with a seatbelt or approved restraint – each person must use a seatbelt or restraint
- only drive solo in the kind of car you took your driving test in. If you drove an automatic transmission or clutchless manual car in your test, that is the only type of car you may drive on your Ps unsupervised.
You must not:
- drive above the speed limit of 90 km/h
- have any alcohol in your system when driving
- supervise a learner driver
- drive a high-performance vehicle
- use any mobile phone while driving, or while your vehicle is stopped but not parked. This includes hands-free devices or loud speakers.
The site also talks about passenger restrictions.
I love the Police. The support they give the College is wonderful. Wish there were double the number (and I’m guessing so do they). If a Red P plater learns a life saving lesson by being rounded up early for an infringement, you got to love the Police as well. Think about it being your kid.
Traffic and carparks at LCCC is subject to significant complexity and sensitivities and a fuller discussion would far outstrip the space I have here. Suffice to say that every Lumen Principal (and I have worked for them all, Mr Giles being prominent) has fought, submitted, argued, cajoled…done what they could and are still working to do what they can. We have a beautiful, magnificent site – but the traffic aspect is not easy. Everyday, without exaggeration, we are working with the kids and parents about safety, providing the education and supervision.
Are things ever perfect? No. Kids are kids sometimes, they don’t concentrate. If you are reading this, you’re a parent who has been around the school long enough to have seen some ordinary stuff. Despite all the communication, education (et al) you only have to be at an entrance or exit at a peak time to be worried.
It is completely irresponsible, and out of order, and likely illegal to drive / drop off / pick up / anywhere in or around the College with anything less than the care you would take when you are sure that a kid is going to come out of nowhere.
It’s a battle, every day (not just with the Red P plates)
