A heavy question, but a necessary one for those who attended the Wagga PCYC’s Traffic Offenders Intervention Program.

Seated around six tables was a diverse cross section of locals, varying in age, sex and ethnic background but they all have one thing in common: they committed a traffic offence.

The offences range from mid range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA), low range PCA, speeding, burnout, street racing, drug use and negligent driving. 

The program is aimed at showing the devastating repercussions of incidents or crashes and has seven segments – the accident scene, crash consequences, the police force, alcohol and other drugs, driving facts, the legal system and victims of road trauma.

Wagga PCYC’s Jon Morgan, who runs the program, is firm but not accusatory. In introducing the proceedings for the day he said “we don’t judge you”. 

The workbook warns that some of the video presentations shown in the course are graphic in nature. The content isn’t there to scare but rather to demonstrate that actions have consequences. It’s not a matter of luck, if you decide to break the law you are risking your life, and the lives of others on the roads, and that is not an accident. 

“We don’t use the word accident,” Mr Morgan said. 

The focus was education, with the guest speakers and Mr Morgan providing the attendees with tools for their future. 

The design of the program is inclusive and interactive. Multiple guests speakers featured, videos were played of the aftermath of crash scenes and a work book is supplied which is completed together after each segment. 

Driving Instructor with Roadcraft Services Paul Dawon said that he wasn’t there to judge but rather to teach them about how to be a better driver.

“You did something, but we’re not here to talk about that,” he said. 

The difference in the mood of the room was drastically different between the two Saturdays. One the second day, participant engagement was much higher with questions on the specifics of laws being raised and it is clear par

The rate of re-offenders following attendance of the program is two to three per cent, which is impressively low.  

At the end of the second day participants are signed off, as long as they completed the course work. Many made their way to the front of the room to thank Mr Morgan and the other volunteers for their testimonies and their time. 

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics’ (BITRE) latest monthly report of road deaths in Australia said there has been 103 deaths in January this year. 

“In comparison to the average for January over the previous five years, the current figure is 2.4 per cent higher,” the report said. 

The content is graphic, the language no nonsense and while some may find it hard to stomach, you cannot argue with TOIP’s results.