PCYC manager Stewart Mead has locked-in the first installment for two Saturdays in October, the 14^th and 21^st, giving the town’s driving offenders convenient access to the program.

“Up until recently people from Cowra would have to go to Young or Orange or other places to be able to attend the program,” the PCYC’s Stewart Mead said.

“Having it local makes it easier for people if they’ve been referred by the Magistrate or trying to do it prior to their court attendance date so they’re prepared.”

The program will be delivered by PCYC TOIP coordinators from Bathurst with help from a range of speakers including ambulance paramedics, police officers, solicitors, driving instructors, victims of road trauma and families and friends of victims.

It will operate out of the Cowra PCYC building on Binni Creek Road.

Mr Mead hopes to see more than 20 participants take part and aims at scheduling it on two Saturdays every second month, however he will make it monthly if there’s a demand.

Cowra Local Court Magistrate Michael O’Brien continues to refer driving offenders to the program and quizzes them on their return for sentencing.

At a local court listings day during August Mr O’Brien said everyone should refer themselves to the program.

Mr Mead said positive results derived from TOIP can filter through the entire community. 

“If people are able to reflect and stop drinking and driving or being under the influence of drugs while they’re driving that then flows through to the PCYC’s mission which is to reduce crime more broadly,” he said.

“It’s what we’re about.”

The first TOIP is set for two Saturdays in October, the 14^th and 21^st.

The PCYC encourages anyone who is a victim of road trauma or is family or a friend of a victim of road trauma and are willing to help deliver TOIP in Cowra to get in contact with them.