RACQ’s Streets Ahead Program teaches pedestrian, bike, scooter, passenger, bus and motorbike safety in a fun and memorable way to primary school students across the State.

Last week, our Education Team took this program to Mission Beach and Tully for the first time in a bid to keep expanding their reach to regional Queensland. 

Over the past five years RACQ’s education programs have reached areas as far north as the Torres Strait Islands, as far south as Texas and as far west as Camooweal and Mornington Island.

RACQ Education Specialist Janelle Baker said this particular tour was a chance for her to ensure these valuable life skills remained a priority in remote communities.

“I really love doing these tours as I like to push the boundaries on how far we can take the program in Queensland,” Ms Baker said.

“At RACQ we are for all Queenslanders, so these tours ensure we teach important safety lessons in all communities and that no student gets left behind.”

RACQ Education Specialist Janelle Baker with students at El Arish State School. 

Teaching bike and motorbike safety were key lessons on this tour but Ms Baker said pedestrian safety was especially important in regional areas like Mission Beach and Tully.

“We notice regional students can become complacent around quiet roads in their towns, meaning pedestrian safety is vital to their safety,” Ms Baker said.

“We teach them to be aware around quiet streets so when they do travel to larger towns or the city, they know how to navigate the likes of zebra crossings or crossings at traffic lights.”

RACQ Education Officer Penny Nuth, who also taught on the tour, said the beauty of the Streets Ahead Program was taking simple concepts and making them fun and engaging for students of all ages.

“In the past week we have taught the Streets Ahead Program to more than 900 students in kindergarten to Year 6 classes,” Ms Nuth said.

“In our presentations, we use visual props and always include interactive activities so the students can take on board the key safety messages.”

While last week’s tour, which covered six schools in five days, isn’t the average teaching gig, the fact that every day was different drew Ms Nuth to working at RACQ.

“I’ve been teaching with RACQ for four years and love that every day, every school and every class is different and that what we are teaching is so important,” Ms Nuth said.

For Ms Baker, who has been at RACQ for almost six years, it’s beneficial to follow the development of students they teach regularly but also teaching new cohorts brings an equal level of satisfaction to the job.

“Some of the students we’ve seen come from Prep are now in Year 5 and it’s lovely to see them grow and continue to build on their knowledge through our programs,” Ms Baker said.

“I also love seeing new students, particularly in rural areas.

“Their energy and excitement level when they see our activities set up or when they see the working traffic lights for the first time never gets old.

“Teaching those life skills that the classroom teacher just doesn’t have time for is what I really enjoy about working at RACQ.”