Australia’s largest road safety event goes national

More school students than ever before are set to benefit from Westmead Hospital's bstreetsmart event, as the program is expanded nationally.

For the first time, bstreetsmart, Australia's largest road safety event, will deliver a school-based incursion program called Let's Talk, delivering road safety education directly to classrooms across Australia, building on the live event delivered since 2004 in NSW.

In 2025 there were more than 350 people killed on NSW roads, with young people aged 17-25 years representing 9.6% of those deaths.

bstreetsmart incorporates real-life simulated crash scenarios and personal testimonials to help educate future generations of drivers about road safety and reduce this statistic.

Let's Talk has been developed to build on this event, and will be delivered in two streams:

• For students attending the live bstreetsmart event, the incursion serves as a post-event learning experience, helping students reflect on and consolidate the key messages explored during the day.
• For schools unable to attend the live event, a standalone incursion provides access to the program's core learning content, focusing on risk, consequences, decision-making, commitment and behaviour change.

A record number of high school students will be put in the driver's seat at this year's live sold-out bstreetsmart event, with AfterPay Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park transforming into an open classroom for more than 10,000 students a day from 11 to 13 August.

High school students from years 10 - 12 from more than 250 schools in NSW will observe first-hand the consequences of a road crash, and experience the responsibilities and risks of being a passenger and getting behind the wheel, through interactive, illuminating experiences.

bstreetsmart was founded in 2004 by Westmead Hospital trauma nurses Julie Seggie and Stephanie Wilson. In its inaugural year, bstreetsmart hosted 464 students from 10 schools. In its 22-year history, that number has grown to more than 291,000 high school students given motivation to make safer choices on the road.

Transport for NSW has supported the event since 2015 and is contributing $315,000 to this year's program.

For more information, visit bstreetsmart

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park

"I am incredibly proud to see a program created in Western Sydney now a national leader in educating our youth on road safety.

"bstreetsmart is health prevention at its best, educating our children to make decisions that allow them to enjoy the liberties of adulthood, and return home safe to their loving families."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley:

"Getting behind the wheel is a moment of freedom, but it comes with a responsibility that can never be taken lightly. Nobody knows that better than our emergency services, who see the devastating consequences when things go wrong.

"We need every young driver to remember that every choice behind the wheel matters. Our emergency services, including NSW Police, are helping young people understand the weight of that responsibility before they get behind the wheel.

"I thank NSW Police and our emergency services for taking this message directly into our schools and helping save lives before tragedy strikes."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:

"Too many lives are lost on our roads, which is why programs like bstreetsmart are so important to help ensure young people understand that every decision they make behind the wheel matters.

"Education is one of our most powerful tools for preventing road trauma, and for 22 years now, bstreetsmart has been giving thousands of young people the knowledge to make safer choices.

"I encourage all students taking part in this year's program to get involved so you can become better drivers, better passengers - but most importantly, so you can make our roads a safter place for everyone."

Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

"Paramedics see the devastating impact road trauma can have on young people, families and communities."

"NSW Ambulance is proud to support bstreetsmart because giving young people the knowledge to make safer decisions today can help prevent serious injuries and save lives tomorrow."

Quotes attributable to NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver:

"Each year the bstreetsmart program is an invaluable way to teach the next cohort of new drivers about the responsibilities of driving a vehicle and the serious consequences that can flow from poor decision making.

Quotes attributable to Westmead Hospital Trauma Nurse, Julie Seggie:

"Watching this program grow from a handful of students to become accessible across the nation is testament to the dedication of Westmead Hospital staff striving to keep our teenagers safe."

"Knowing a small program from Western Sydney could save the life of a teenager, no matter where they are growing up, is why I am so passionate about this event after 22 years."