- Published:
- Friday 18 September 2026 at 1:00 pm
| State Highway Patrol at 'You Just Never Know', facilitated by Geelong Youth Engagement. |
More than 10,000 students have now participated in an interactive road safety program delivered in Geelong, developed to show young people the devastating consequences of taking risks on the roads.
The 100-minute seminars, titled ‘You Just Never Know’, were launched by Geelong Youth Engagement in partnership with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Barwon Health and Geelong Magistrates’ Court in 2019, and have been delivered twice per year since.
Targeted at students learning to drive, or newly licensed, the program calls on first responders to highlight the potential impacts of dangerous driving, with the aim of deterring participants from engaging in risk-taking behaviour.
State Highway Patrol’s Acting Sergeant Tessa McManus, one of the force’s passionate road safety advocates, has been leading Victoria Police’s involvement in the program for three years.
“When I was asked if I would be involved in the program as an MC, I thought, ‘I’m definitely not a public speaker, but why not?’. I’m a huge advocate for road safety, and I want to help educate young people,” A/Sgt McManus said.
“At the first seminar I attended in 2024, I spoke to 600 students, and it was such a great experience that I’ve been doing it ever since.
“I get to share my knowledge with the kids, answer any of their questions, and hopefully, make them think twice before engaging in risk-taking behaviours on our roads.”
Preparing young drivers
Students heard from A/Sgt McManus during the second seminar of 2026, held at the Geelong Arts Centre last month, as well as hospital staff, paramedics, magistrates and victims of road trauma.
Attendees also learnt how a vehicle can end up looking after it has been in a collision.
“As part of the program, the speakers bring their vehicles – so we have a police car and ambulance set up out the front of the building – but we also have a ‘crash car’, which is a car that’s actually been involved in a fatal collision,” A/Sgt McManus said.
“When the teens arrive, they love to see the flashing lights of our vehicles. Then they see the crash car, and, as young people who may not have seen the billboards or ads about road trauma, they’re quite taken aback.
“But by seeing the car, it makes road trauma something real for them. It’s eye-opening.”
| The 'crash car' parked in front of the Geelong Arts Centre. |
For some of the students, it’s confronting.
And for others, it doesn’t quite sink in.
But A/Sgt McManus, alongside other members and program facilitators, support the students throughout the seminar, no matter how they’re feeling.
“At the beginning of my presentation to the students, I do some housekeeping. I let them know what we’re about to cover, and that if they’re personally affected and need to step out, that that’s OK,” A/Sgt McManus said.
“Welfare staff organised by Geelong Youth Engagement are also available to support the students, and we – the speakers – are there if they want to have a chat afterwards, or have any questions for us.”
Building momentum
Now in it’s eighth year, the program is only getting more popular.
Following last month’s presentation, facilitators marked a special milestone, having delivered the program to an impressive number of students from Geelong, Colac and the Surf Coast.
According to Geelong Youth Engagement, “more than 10,000 year 11 students have been through the 100-minute presentation”, which was developed by CEO Andrew Brittain while he was a police member, with the aim of preventing road fatalities and serious injuries in Geelong and surrounds.
A/Sgt McManus added that the milestone is an “amazing result” that’s testament to both the program, and local schools’ commitment to providing their students with road safety education.
“It’s such a great program, and it’s fantastic that so many local schools have got on board,” A/Sgt McManus said.
“For it to have been delivered to 10,000 students is just amazing. Because even if we only get through to some of the kids, and they go home and tell their siblings and friends, that’s a success.
“And hopefully a reduction in future lives lost.”
Steering the conversation
Outside of the program, A/Sgt McManus is a strong road safety advocate.
Prior to joining State Highway Patrol this year, she was a member of Geelong Highway Patrol, and has long been interested in providing members of the community with road safety education.
| A/Sgt Tessa McManus speaking with students in her previous role, as a member of Geelong Highway Patrol. |
State Highway Patrol Inspector Nicole Yin said that A/Sgt McManus’ passion for road safety is evident, and that hopefully, “young drivers learn from the real-world experiences she’s shared”.
“A/Sgt McManus’ passion for road safety and dedication to the ‘You Just Never Know’ program has no doubt had a lasting effect on many attendees and, hopefully, prompted further conversations between other young people and families,” Insp Yin said.
“It’s vital that kids aged 16-18 develop safe attitudes, hazard awareness and responsible decision making before driving independently – and it’s these types of programs that help achieve this.”
In 2026, young drivers are significantly over-represented in road trauma statistics.
While 18 to 25-year-olds only make up ten per cent of Victorian licence holders, young Victorians in their first year of driving are almost four times more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash.
“The highest risk period is the first six to 12 months after obtaining a probationary licence,” Insp Yin said.
“Which is what makes road safety education for young people – like the presentations delivered by A/Sgt McManus with Geelong Youth Engagement – so important.”
For road safety advice and more information about road policing, visit Road Safety.
Editorial Lane Mihaljevic
Photography Supplied
Subscribe to Police Life: Our people, our stories
Get real police stories delivered straight to your inbox. Come behind the scenes and get a rare insight into the life and duties of Victoria Police's workforce of more than 20,000 dedicated people.
Email policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au to unsubscribe at any time.
To find out more about our privacy policy and how we store information, visit our Privacy page.
Updated