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Alongside: Supporting New Drivers

Our new pilot youth road safety program to help learners, supervisors and young drivers build confidence behind the wheel through practical sessions and new resources.

Creating a safer future

Road trauma remains one of the leading causes of death for young Australians, and Tasmania has one of the highest per capita road death rates in the country.

A driver's licence means freedom, independence and access to education, work and friends. But getting there is a big responsibility for learners and supervisors alike. They've told us they need more support along the way.

Alongside is our response, developed with young Tasmanians, their supervisors and the wider community, to make our roads safer for everyone.

How we're approaching it

To build Alongside on a strong foundation, we partnered with Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety, a world leader in youth road safety. Together with the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, we commissioned a literature review into the best ways to deliver youth road safety education, drawing on approaches from across Australia and around the world.

We're now co-designing the program with people across Tasmania and Australia, including young people, educators, driving instructors, academics and the wider community. Together, we're focusing on three areas:

  • Education

    Embedding road safety learning in Years 9 to 12 to equip young drivers with the knowledge they need.

  • Driver Supervisors

    Supporting parents, mentors, and instructors with better tools and guidance to help young drivers navigate the road safely.

  • Community

    Tailoring solutions that reflect the unique needs of different regions and support young people experiencing disadvantages.

What's next and how to get involved

  • Now in its second year, Alongside has entered the pilot stage.

  • We've established a Youth Advisory Group with the Youth Network of Tasmania, to keep young people at the heart of how we design the program.

  • We're running a series of free, practical sessions for supervisors and learner drivers in communities across Tasmania.

  • We are collaborating with our sister club, RAC Western Australia, to adapt a smartphone app they are designing and developing to suit Tasmanians.  

  • We're working with teachers to co-design road safety curriculum resources that are evidence-based and curriculum-aligned. If you teach years 9–12 and would like to get involved, keep reading below.

Learner and supervisor sessions

A new series of free, practical pilot sessions for parents, guardians and other supervisors alongside their learner drivers. Covering everything you need to make the most of the learning-to-drive experience for both of you.

Come to a session

Help test our new digital tool for learners

Are you currently or have you recently been teaching a young person to drive? Whether you're a parent, grandparent or mentor guiding a learner through the first stages of their driving journey, we would love your help to test our new app.

Get involved

Teachers: shaping road safety education

Expressions of interest are now open for Tasmanian teachers of years 9-12 who would like to be involved in shaping how teenagers learn about road safety.

Share your expertise

Meet the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee for the Youth Road Safety Program is made up of a diverse group of leaders in road safety, education, and community development. Their collective expertise guides the creation and implementation of this vital program, ensuring it meets the needs of young Tasmanians and delivers long-term impact.

Meet the committee

Proudly supported by the Tasmanian Government.

Contact us

If you're interested in learning more about Alongside, please feel free to reach out to us on [email protected].