Our daughter has recently participated in the BRAKE Program which was held in Jimboomba. We found it to be extremely beneficial not only for our daughter but also for us as parents. It taught our daughter basic understanding of being a responsible driver and the dangers she may encounter.
During the parent session both my husband and myself were impressed with the commitment and genuine concern that was shown to the young people and their safety on the roads. It also has helped us as parents to understand our daughter’s limitations and how we can help her to develop into a safer driver. The ideas and concepts are effective but yet very simple to initiate and will save young drivers from dangerous situations.
We, as a family, can not recommend this course enough and strongly support the idea of each new driver, and their parents, participating in BRAKE. (Logan City Council area)

My daughter did the BRAKE program through Robina High School as a sport subject and said it was 'the best'.  She now has her L plates and is doing really well.  But my son got his L plates the same day and drives with a very different attitude - can he do the BRAKE course anywhere as they have changed schools and it is not available at their new school.  (Gold Coast)

Dear Principals,
Our schools educate our children in Maths, English, Social Sciences, The Arts – yet a lack of knowledge in these areas is not potentially life threatening.  A lack of driver skills is.  At the age when our children are close to completing their secondary education, we take them out onto our roads to learn to drive – with very little prior education in driving skills.  Yes, they know the road rules, after all they have a ‘licence’ to show that they do.  But their inexperience on the road makes them very vulnerable to potentially dangerous situations.
The BRAKE program gives our young learner drivers a basis on which to make judgements when driving.  It makes them aware of their Behaviour and Attitude, and what an impact these things have on their safety.  It makes our young drivers aware of the Risks involved – not to scare them – but to give them the Knowledge to make wise decisions when driving.  The program Educates our children with skills that may save the lives of themselves and others.
Our 16 year old son has just completed the BRAKE program.   He found the course extremely educational, eye opening and enjoyable.  He now has his learners licence and is applying the knowledge he gained during the BRAKE program as he learns to drive. 
The BRAKE program is designed and run by people who have been at the ‘front line’ of road accidents, and who care enough about our young people to be motivated to make a difference   As parents we were impressed by the skills and caring attitude of the presenters, and the entertaining way the course was conducted.  Whilst we will be teaching our son to drive, we recognise that others with skills more advanced than our own, make an extremely valuable contribution to our sons driving education and his safety.
We recommend the BRAKE program to you and urge you to offer your students the opportunity of participating in this program.  (Logan City Council area)

As a result of the program our daughter, held a heightened sense of awareness of the dangers and precautions which she will be facing when a drivers licence is obtained.  The program covered many important issues which included driver and passenger safety and awareness, how to handle dangerous situations, and also how to avoid being in those dangerous situations.
It was interesting to note the latest tips that she was able to give ourselves when driving, which given we have a combined driving experience of over 54 years, demonstrated that learning remains ongoing and important at all times.
For anyone who has young adults who will be obtaining a learners licence, we believe that as much information as available should be presented to ensure that the risks on the road are fully understood.  We accept that having a licence does give a sense of freedom for greater mobility, however the fatalities and injuries are the risk presented to every parent.
The BRAKE program certainly assisted with [our daughters] preparation for obtaining a learners licence and is a commendable initiative.  It is also important to note that [our daughter] actually enjoyed attending the program which speaks for itself. (logan City Council area)

As a parent of a teenage boy ready to get his Learners Licence I worried about how best to prepare my child to be safe on the roads. It’s not always about how well he drives but also how to handle others on the road who may not show as much care. Adolescents don’t always take as much notice of our advice as we would like – after all we were all bullet-proof at that age weren’t we?
When I read about the BRAKE program and how they were taking a different approach to driver training I encouraged my son to participate. The young people attended over 2 days and my son came away enthusiastic and positive about the experience. He was keen to share his learning and practice the skills they had encouraged. What impressed me even more about the program is the way parents are encouraged to be part of the process. The organisers met us and explained their approach. We were shown ways to support our child and be part of a team approach. There were follow up discussion sessions and a plan to help learners gain appropriate practice and experience. My son appreciated this rather than feeling that Mum and Dad were just telling him what to do – again!
As a learner driver my son is confident that he will gain to skills to not only get his licence but become a competent user of the road. However he is not overconfident and seems well aware of the risks. I heartily recommend the program and congratulate all those involved – all teenagers should be lucky enough to have the opportunity to take part. (Logan City Council area)

Dear BRAKE Team,
My daughter did the course approximately 6 months ago and has since obtained her learners permit, and yes she does scan ahead and recall her lessons.
Thankyou for a great course.  (Gold Coast)

My husband, daughter and I enjoyed your program!!!  Are you offering any more programs?  Out daughter is about to go for her driving test, her P.  Thanks you so much.  (Gold Coast)

Hi Team,
Some quick feedback from a parent...my son attended the course and is 3/4 way through his 100 hours on the L plates.  Whilst he has had some formal lessons with a driving school I have to say that the lessons learned during the BRAKE course have helped him significantly and he will often point out to me the mistakes other drivers make!
He is cautious and certainly does not think he is in his own 'safe little bubble with the stereo on.'  He is acutely aware of other drivers, potential hazards, etc. and we definitely feel that when he progresses to the P plates, will have had the best preparation possible.  (Logan City Council area)

Hi there, I am one of the parents that attended your BRAKE presentation at Robina High School last year. My twin 17 year old girls have recently passed their Learners tests and are now driving on their P's, after some very testing 60 hours supervision each which has left me with considerably more grey hairs than I had before!
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the presentation as I talked specifically about the Gorilla theory all the way through teaching them to drive. It was incredibly useful to me as a parent because I never realised that they really don't have the peripheral vision in place yet and I found that they both were really struggling to be able to predict consequences of actions or working on assumptive thinking. Watching for the gorilla is something I pointed out often when impatient cars behind us would 'creep up' on the left hand side when the girls were giving way to the right, particularly at roundabouts - and they were so very surprised that experienced drivers actually would do that to them.
They are both very conscientious drivers and I continue to talk to them about remaining aware and alert at all times on the road and I do think you remaining in touch with them also helps to do this.
Thankyou so much for the great work you do in trying to keep our kids safe on the roads - they are so precious to us - thankyou.  (Gold Coast)

Congratulations to Rob Duncan for his Qld Road Safety Award achievement.
Thanks for your email follow-up.
Jesse was at the course mid last year, and found it useful.
I enjoyed the parent forum and was able to use the information given to make suggestions, and to ask questions about the driving process.
Jess has his license now, and we refer to BRAKE principles at times.
I really appreciated having the opportunity to have Jess attend the brake course before he started driving. I had read about it in the paper, but as it was run over week ends, (and that is not good for us), I was disappointed that he may have to miss out. The mid-week holiday course was ideal.
I have a daughter turning 16 at the end of the year, and would love to know when course dates are this year.
Cheers, and keep up the good work.  (Logan City Council area)

Please accept my thanks for a very thought provoking evening last night.
There was enough fun in the evening to keep the teenagers interested and entertained, but I'm sure at least some of the message will have sunk in.  .
I am so impressed by the dedication of your volunteers, especially as their everyday jobs are so stressful.To take on a role like this shows they are extremely dedicated and trying to help the community as a whole.
Thank you once again, and best of luck in the evolution of your program.  (Gold Coast)