The Volunteer Rescue Association’s (VRA) Making a Difference (MAD) Driving Program is designed to make people aware of their responsibilities when driving and “some of the pitfalls” that could occur on the roads, but senior co-ordinator Bob Burt said it was “not all doom and gloom”.

“We try to have a bit of fun,” Mr Burt said.

“We give them a run with the alcohol goggles and let them see what it’s like to not be able to walk in a straight line, so to speak.

“They can come and try our tools and we’ll give them a practical demo on our cars.”

He said the “jaws of life”, or “combi-tool”, was a unique element of the driver awareness program that allowed people to have a hands-on appreciation of the “extremes we need to go to, to remove people from their vehicles”.

The PCYC established the MAD Driving Program five years ago and it is now run four times a year by the VRA.

The next program is at the Dubbo Rescue Squad headquarters on Wednesday March 24 where between 6pm and 9pm there would be a mix of practical demonstrations and first-hand information.

There will be a

presentation by a highway patrol officer, the Dubbo Rescue Squad, and Dubbo car crash survivor Andrew Murray will talk about his

ordeal.

Mr Burt said the program was aimed at learner and provisional license holders but encouraged parents and mature drivers to come along.