As thousands of Victorians hit the road over the Christmas and New Year period, St John Ambulance Victoria is urging drivers, particularly young and learner drivers, to prioritise safety, preparedness and basic first aid knowledge.

The holiday season remains one of the most dangerous times on Australian roads. Nationally, road deaths have continued to rise, with more than 1,250 lives lost in 2024: a 6.3% increase on the previous year. In Victoria alone, road deaths increased by 1.7% in the past year. 

Tragically, young people aged 17–25 remain among the highest-risk groups for serious injury and fatality.

Yet while road trauma continues to climb, first aid training rates in Australia remain comparatively low.

A national survey commissioned by St John Ambulance Australia early in 2025 found that nearly four in five Australians (78%) believe basic first aid training should be a requirement for holding a driver’s licence, recognising that everyday road users are often the first on the scene of a crash.

First aid skills can save lives on our roads

St John Ambulance Victoria CEO Gordon Botwright said empowering people with first aid knowledge is a simple but powerful way to improve road safety outcomes.

“Anyone can become the first person at a roadside emergency, whether as a driver, passenger or passer-by,” Mr Botwright said.

“Knowing how to stay calm, call for help and provide basic first aid while waiting for an ambulance can reduce injuries and, in some cases, save a life.”

He said the holiday period presents a critical opportunity to ensure drivers are not only road-ready, but emergency-ready.

“We want Victorians to be safe during this holiday season, but we also want to equip them with skills that will stay with them for life. First aid training builds confidence and helps people take action when it matters most.”

Free online First Aid training for all drivers

To support safer travel, St John offers a free online First Aid course designed specifically for driver-specific first aid scenarios. The course introduces essential skills that may be needed in a roadside emergency, including:

• How to call for help and communicate with emergency services
• Checking and supporting an airway
• Stopping life-threatening bleeding
• Treating fractures
• Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

The course has been shown to significantly increase participants’ confidence and willingness to act in emergency situations, helping young people feel better prepared if they encounter a crash.

What to do if you are first on the scene of a crash

These are key steps to follow if you come across a road accident:

• Stop safely and protect yourself and others from oncoming traffic
• Call 000 immediately and follow the operator’s instructions
• Check for responsiveness and breathing
• Control serious bleeding using firm pressure
• Reassure injured people and stay with them until help arrives

Safer driving starts with preparation

St John Ambulance Victoria reminds all road users, from learner drivers to seasoned travellers, to plan ahead, drive to conditions, take regular breaks, and ensure they have a charged phone and an up to date first aid kit in their vehicle.

“Safer roads aren’t just about how we drive,” Mr Botwright said. “They’re also about being prepared for the unexpected and looking out for one another.”

All drivers, including young people, parents and carers, are encouraged to access the free online First Aid course for drivers via St John’s website and help make Victorian roads safer this holiday season.