Taking Culpable Driving Court Room Dramas to Regional Victoria

With the impact of a recent fatal accident involving culpable driving charges for a young driver in his locality, Merino based policeman, Barry Judge, encouraged the Trust to take a driving awareness program to schools and courtrooms in rural Victoria.

There is a clear need for the program in rural areas where 48% of fatal road incidents occur.

The culpable driving courtroom drama delivered at the Old Melbourne Gaol offers rural students a preventative education program highlighting the impact of culpable driving on young lives. There are few such programs available and none able to be played out in a court room at a regional court house.

Many regional court houses which are historicallly significant can potentially host such a program for local schools.

As a result of Sergeant Judge's interest the National Trust conducted a trial program at the Hamilton Magistrates’ Court for a class group 11 students from Casterton Secondary College.

The result was met with great success and positive response from the students, teachers, local police and media.

The target group for the program is all rural secondary schools in Victoria from years 10 to12 with an obvious curriculum link to the Legal Studies VCE course.

The program has been running successfully at the Old Melbourne Gaol for 5 years.

The National Trust is looking for sponsorship to deliver the program to regional students.