@Normal:Paramedic Jason Callanan wants young people to learn about road trauma. 77969 Picture: Donna Oates
By Emma Sun
A SILVAN paramedic is fighting to reduce road trauma.
Jason Callanan, who has been a paramedic for 15 years, established Roadwhyz Victoria last month in a bid to educate youths on the consequences of dangerous driving.
He said little attention is given to those who are not directly involved in accidents but who are badly affected by the incident.
“I’ve seen a lot of trauma in my time and the one thing that gets to me is the ripple effect of the people that are left behind because of the trauma,” he said.
“It’s not always the patients themselves that affect me – it’s caring for the people who have been left behind.”
Mr Callanan said the worst accident he attended was crash in Clayton where a two door car, with two occupants inside, hit a pole.
“That’s the story I talk about in my course because of the consequences that came out from that accident,” he said.
“We found there was alcohol involved, as well as speeding, in-car distractions and inexperience.”
“Nobody died, but the driver is now a paraplegic and others were disabled from the crash.
“The young girl’s family has to look after her now because she has no independence anymore – she needs help to do any daily activities, to get to places and to go to the toilet.
“That’s what I really stress about the course.”
Roadwhyz is an initiative aimed at generating awareness for 16 to 25-year-olds and many schools are already supporting the courses.
“They see it as quite a vital educational course for their young kids, as we give them a no frills, emotional and educational course on the realities of road trauma,” he said.
“They might be upset initially but they’ll certainly keep it in the back of their minds.”
For more information about the Roadwhyz program, visit www.roadwhyzvic.com.au or call Jason Callanan on 0416 284 615.
