The TWU applauds the state government and the opposition for pushing through tough new legislation aimed at those who throw rocks at moving vehicles.

The laws will make it an offence to cause fear and alarm in a driver by throwing an object at or near a vehicle.

Offenders will face up to seven years jail if they are convicted.

There were almost 1200 recorded instances this year up to November.

However, while the tough penalties are a welcome deterrent, much more needs to be done to educate those who participate in the stupid activity.

By far the greatest majority of those who offend are young people teenagers and young men.

Develop a program that can be taken thoughout the school system to tell our kids of the consequences of rock throwing.

By all means explain that throwing rocks at vehicles is a very serious offence and that they will face up to seven years in prison if they are caught.

But most importantly; speak to them about the possible horrific consequences of their actions!

Tell them what could happen if a rock goes through a windscreen of a moving truck or bus and the vehicle lurches out of control.

A bus full of dead and injured passengers perhaps! Or a driver maimed for life and never able to work again!

A person such as Swan Transit driver Gerard Sin who lost his eye after a rock was hurled into his head earlier this year.

In fact someone like Gerard Sin would be a perfect person to have going around the schools talking to our kids about this issue.