Future Driver Safety: CMI Toyota Supports the Get Home Safe Foundation
At CMI Toyota, we believe that road safety is a shared responsibility, one that begins with education, awareness, and community collaboration. That’s why we’re proud to support the incredible work of the Get Home Safe Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to developing and delivering road safety programs that foster better road user behaviours, knowledge and attitudes.
One of the Foundation’s most impactful initiatives focuses on young and inexperienced drivers, who are statistically among the most vulnerable road users. Earlier this year, CMI Toyota joined Darren Davis, President of the Get Home Safe Foundation, as he delivered one of these vital programs at a local school.
We invite you to watch the video below to see Darren in action and learn more about the life-changing work being done in our schools and neighbourhoods.
The session, aimed at Year 10 students, is designed to engage and educate teens at the very beginning of their driving journey. Darren’s approach is both innovative and immersive.
Using Australia’s first road safety virtual reality headset, connected to his Toyota Kluger, students were able to experience firsthand the dangers of distracted driving in a realistic way. The VR simulation vividly demonstrates how distractions, such as mobile phones, passengers, or excessive speed, can impair judgment and reaction time, often with devastating consequences.
To make the experience even more impactful, the virtual reality headset was paired with a TV screen, allowing all students apart of the session to have the opportunity to see exactly what the driver was experiencing in real time. This feature helped students who weren’t wearing the headset engage with the scenarios and understand the risks from a shared perspective. It created a powerful group learning moment, sparking conversations and reflections among peers.
This technology-driven experience is more than just a demonstration, it’s a wake-up call. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to witness the students leaving the session with a deeper understanding of the risks they face and the responsibility they carry every time they get behind the wheel.
But the program doesn’t stop with students and young people. Darren also runs sessions for parents, recognising the critical influence they have on their children’s driving habits. These discussions cover the importance of modelling safe driving behaviours, the impact of parental attitudes on young drivers, and the significance of choosing vehicles with strong ANCAP safety ratings. It’s a holistic approach that empowers families to work together toward safer roads.
The experience was eye-opening for both students and parents alike, with many attendees personally being affected by road accidents, whether through family, friends or their own experiences. These emotional connections made the program even more meaningful, reinforcing the importance of safe driving habits and the real-world consequences of poor decisions on the road.
CMI Toyota is honoured to support Darren and the Get Home Safe Foundation in their mission to reduce road trauma and save lives. Their work is a powerful reminder that road safety isn’t just about rules, it’s about culture, education, and community.
Together, we can drive change, one safe journey at a time.
