Queensland Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence today officially launched the ‘V8 Supersafe’ initiative of V8 Supercars Australia that is designed to help educate young people on road safety.

Ms Spence joined V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane in launching the unique program at Marsden State High School in Brisbane this morning.

“It was an honour to have Ms Spence to launch the program that has been developed by V8 Supercars Australia as a way we can demonstrate to young people the importance of staying in control,” Mr Cochrane said.

“As a sport we have the best group of highly skilled drivers in this country. There are few more capable people behind the wheel than the likes of Craig Lowndes, Shane Van Gisbergen and Shane Price.

“These drivers know exactly how to drive and stay in control – it’s their very livelihood. And unlike when our young people are on the roads they compete in an environment that is very controlled and far safer than an open highway, country road or a busy city street.

“We believe for these very reasons that we have a major part to play and an important message to deliver in helping young people to stay in control on the roads.”

Lowndes is acting as one ambassador for the program along with racing great Dick Johnson. Van Gisbergen, 19, and Price, 21, can easily identify with the issues facing young people when they tackle the streets for the first time and are also acting as ambassadors.

V8 Supersafe was designed by V8 Supercars Australia after extensive research and discussions with the relevant motoring bodies, education departments and Government agencies.

It is an education focused program highlighting the importance of safe driving practices, reasoned risk taking and positive choices, conducted by an education officer with an extensive teaching background appointed specifically to run the program.

V8 Supersafe will target year 10, 11 and 12 students throughout Australia. The workshops developed have been based upon thorough research and have been individually designed to compliment the specific road safety messages unique to each state and territory in Australia. 

The workshops include strategies to empower students in decision making, reasoned risk taking, effective communication and understanding the potential consequences of action.

All workshops and presentations are FREE OF CHARGE and fully funded by V8 Supercars Australia as a community service program.

For more information and bookings schools, parents, students and anybody interested can find information at V8supercar.com.au and follow the tab through to the V8 Supersafe website.