Trauma team highlight driving dangers

Trauma lead Cris Porter, Trauma Service Clinical Nurse Specialist Katrina O'Leary, Staff Nurse Choninneach MacDonald and Trauma Orientated Consultant Barnaby Smith are all helping spread the safe driving message at this week's expo.

Mixing alcohol and drugs with driving can have fatal consequences and that will be the message about 2,500 Western Bay of Plenty students will be given this week.

In the seventh annual Blue Light Anti Drink and Drug Drive Expo, it is the message which has this year been reinforced by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

A team from Tauranga Hospital's Emergency Department and the District Health Board's Trauma Service is representing the organisation at the expo being held at Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui.

Trauma Orientated Consultant Barnaby Smith said the team had fitted in well with the other emergency services and event format.

"It's important to take proactive steps like this, attending public events, to help decrease the number of trauma incidents in the community," he said.

"Anything that can help do that has to be worthwhile."

Emergency department trauma lead Cris Porter said the event was being well received by he schools involved.

"There have been some very powerful talks given, especially from relatives of young people killed in car crashes, and from Tamati Paul, who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a crash with a drink-driver," he said.

As well as the week of educational talks, students have had the opportunity to circulate the exhibitor's stands. The BOPDHB stand displayed TECT simulation equipment such as a Tension Pneumothorax Training Mannequin and a SimMan (Simulation Mannequin) patient, as well as ventilator and monitoring equipment.

"One perception we've been trying to dispel is that it's not Grey's Anatomy or Shortland Street, the reality is far less glamorous," said Mr Porter.

He said students were being given the chance to see the devastating repercussions of bad choices being made, before they go on to get their own driving licences.

"Once you're injured you're injured," said Mr Porter. "There is a limit to what can be done medically sometimes. It's far better to prevent the injury in the first place."

Statistically the highest risk age group for death caused by motor vehicle accidents is 15-19. From January 2013 to date, there have been 12 fatal crashes on Western Bay of Plenty roads. Two of the deceased were aged under 20.

The Blue Light Anti Drink and Drug Drive Expo began on Tuesday (June 3) and runs until Friday (June 6).