5 Minutes with Layne Beachley
08-December-2008
Layne Beachley is a true inspiration and surfing legend!
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Layne Beachley began pro surfing at age 16, and was ranked 6th in the world by age 20! She's regarded as the best female professional surfer of ALL time, having won the World Championships 7 times!! She's now the Ambassador of the Arrive Alive safety campaign, so we caught up with her to ask why she got involved, and what it's all about...
Please tell us about Arrive Alive...
Arrive alive is the NSW Motor Accidents Authority's (MAA's) road safety program for young people.
The MAA are concerned about the over representation of young drivers in car accidents in NSW.
Around 100 young people aged 17-25 die and more than 7,000 are injured each year on NSW roads and these injuries can be anything from broken bones to quadriplegia and brain injury.
Young drivers aged 17-20 are also 3 times more likely than drivers over 21 to be involved in a serious crash and that's where Arrive Alive comes in – it spreads the word about road safety to young people while they're involved in activities they enjoy (like surfing!).
Why was it important to you to be involved?
My role as an Arrive Alive Ambassador is about talking to young women about safe driving and how to minimise the chance of them or their friends or others being injured in a car accident.
As a female, it's disturbing to hear that women aged 14-25 are more likely to be injured or killed in car accidents as passengers rather than drivers.
What are the most common mistakes young drivers make on the road?
The main one is overestimating their ability as drivers when in fact becoming a good driver is a lot like becoming a good surfer – it takes lots of practice.
They can also think they are bullet-proof – that it wont happen to them – and take risks on the road without thinking about the consequences. In my role I stress the importance of thinking before taking a risk – I know the impact an injury can have on your life.
Which car do you currently drive?
A V6 Rav 4 provided by Maitland Toyota.
Which CD are you currently listening to in your car?
Paul Simon-Graceland, Timberland and INXS.
Does your car have a nick-name?
Black Beauty because it's black and beautiful.
You're going on a road trip and can invite 3 passengers as company – who would you choose?
Kirk Pengilly, Christopher Walken and Ellen DeGeneres.
Who inspires you?
People who achieve their dreams, especially against the odds, and people who teach me something about myself.
Do you have any driving tips for young women?
My main advice is to females as passengers is: if they feel unsafe in a car, speak up and tell the driver. A common example is being in the car and your boyfriend is driving over the speed limit and being afraid to mention it.
I also want them to think about the importance of being a safe passenger and that although you don't physically control the car, they can make potentially dangerous situations safer by assisting the driver to focus on driving – like turning down the music, checking the map and giving directions and answering their phone if it rings.
What final message would you like to deliver to young drivers?
To arrive at your destination alive is both the drivers and the passenger's responsibility. As a passenger, you can make a difference – help the driver concentrate on the road and speak up if you feel unsafe, so everyone in the car arrives alive.
And make sure to visit www.arrivealive.com.au – it's got lots of great road safety information and details on other promotions.
