That was one of the questions answered at the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program on Tuesday.

This is the sixteenth year the South Dubbo Rotary has held the RYDA program. Across three days about 550 students from across the region will take part in six workshops, run by organisations such as Dubbo Rescue Squad, former highway patrol officers and driving instructors.

South Dubbo Rotary's Mark Powderly said he believed the program, which has been attended by more than 10,000 teenagers, was making a difference.

"It's hard to statistically put in on a graph but we think once the P-platers and L-platers have done their program, really had a think about it and have done their research on the material that we give them, it is having an affect. That's the most important thing," he said.

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Even in Dubbo Regional mayor Ben Shields' opening address to the young drivers he mentioned he had been involved in incidents.

Mr Powderly said it showed no matter if you were the mayor, a businessman or a learner, incidents happened.

The program is attended by Year 11 students, not only from Dubbo but places like Tullamore, Trangie and Wellington.

"This is probably the key time to say listen, there's one big thing we need you to take on board and that is to start to look at choices. Is the driver doing the right thing or the wrong thing? Are you going to let the driver continue to do that?" Mr Powderly said.

"It puts as much emphasis on the driver as the passenger. And that covers across the spectrum of all people and motor vehicles. If the driver is acting up, let's put some of the onus of responsibility on the passenger to address that.

"If we concentrate on every person in that care having a functional role, then at the end of the day, we've made them all think about their own position. It's about life choices and road choices."

Dubbo Regional Council has committed $3100 each year for the next three years for the RYDA program.

"I am a strong believer that it is playing an important role in the education of young motorists. It is crucial this program is able to continue," Cr Shields said.

The funding will cover the cost for the South Dubbo Rotary Club to hire the showground.