To mark the milestone Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' will be launching a commemorative book following the morning demonstration on August 17 at Parkes High School's multi-purpose centre.

And Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said more than 100 past cast, crew and helpers and special guests have been invited to attend.

The aim of the project is to show young drivers what can and does happen far too often on the road and encourages them to change their attitudes and behaviours, not just as drivers but as passengers.

The program includes a pre-lesson, along with a very realistic mock car crash demonstration.

Ms Suitor said the program was piloted with 100 Year 10 students from Parkes High School in 2008.

“Since then more than 4000 Year 10 students from 11 high schools across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire council areas have participated in the program,” she said.  

“If you had asked me on the eve of the first mock crash if we would still be running in 10 years’ time, I can honestly say it was the furthest thing from my mind.

“Over the past 10 years we have been on a continuous improvement journey - making changes to improve both the efficiency of our processes, as well as enhance the effectiveness of both the pre-lesson and the mock crash demonstration.  

“But during that time the purpose for running the program and our take-home message to the students has never changed.”

Ms Suitor said young drivers are over-represented in road crashes.

“We want to show them what is happening on the roads and encourage them to make better, safer decisions as drivers and passengers as they get their driver's licence.  

“We don't want them to be a road crash statistic!”

Since the program began, Ms Suitor said it was pleasing to see a 27 per cent reduction in crashes on local roads involving young drivers over the past 10 years.

“The message is getting through,” she said.

“Even though it’s been hard work, it’s been worth it.

“It's been an absolute pleasure to work with over 100 actors, extras, crew and helpers over the past 10 years.  

“It doesn’t feel like it's been 10 years. Whether it's providing props or a location for filming, sourcing car wrecks for rehearsals/demonstration day, being an extra at filming or you were part of the cast/crew - every contribution is important.”

Central West Police District Superintendent Chris Taylor said it is a vitally important program within the region as it gives young people who take part an insight into the consequences of bad driving habits.

“We believe so strongly in the Not A Statistic! Youth Driver Education Program that we are working with Orange Council and schools to present a similar event within Orange to spread the message of road safety to young people throughout the Central West Police District," he said.

Ms Suitor stopped in at last month’s Parkes Shire Council meeting to talk about the 10^th anniversary.

Engineering Services Director Ben Howard took the opportunity to congratulate MsSuitor on her hard work over the past decade.

“Ten years is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“The students may sit there and laugh when they see their mates up there acting, but then reality sets in.

“They sit there, they watch, they listen for the next two hours.

“On behalf of council, thank you Mel for the work you do. It is well received by the schools.”