Learner drivers take free lesson

More than 30 young people from the Peninsula have booked a free driving lesson under a government-funded program in its first 10 months of operation.

NRMA Safer Driving School instructor Mr Ian Crowther said more than 30 young people from the Peninsula had registered with Keys2Drive and booked their free 45-minute lesson with the NRMA.

According to Mr Crowther, demand was expected to increase as more learner drivers become aware of the scheme, which was launched in NSW through the NRMA last March.

Mr Crowther said local supervising drivers had expressed their appreciation of the free lesson and in all cases he had received excellent feedback from the learner drivers involved.

He said the aim of the program was to help learner drivers achieve zero harm while on their P-plates.

"Currently when new drivers get their Ps, their risk of being harmed in a crash increases 20 to 30 times.

"The current generation of P plate drivers crash more and drive less than other drivers, but we're confident that by adopting this new learning methodology, we can achieve real change with our Learners," he said.

"Keys2Drive also helps parents/supervisors to be more effective in their driver training role,' he said.

During the free lesson, the Keys2Drive instructor uses a train-the-trainer approach to introduce the supervisor and learner to a method which encourages learners to ask questions, better recognise risky situations and to find and fix mistakes.

"It encourages learners to take control of their learning and to practice longer with lots of variation," said Mr Crowther.

Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill has also expressed her support for the program.

"We know that young drivers are more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than drivers from any other age group.

"Keys2Drive is a great Federal Government program that provides learner drivers with the essential skills they need for a lifetime of safer driving."

"I'd encourage all young people learning to drive on the Peninsula and their supervisors to take advantage of this free service."

The Keys2Drive program has three key components, a free lesson, a website with educational information and supporting material and a voluntary accreditation scheme for professional driving instructors wishing to participate in the program which includes initial training, ongoing professional development and commitment to a Keys2Drive code of practice developed in consultation with the driver training industry.

The Australian Government has committed $17 million over five years to implement Keys2Drive nationally.

For further information, telephone 1300 696 762.

Media Release, 19 Jan 2011 Daniel Stanton, NRMA Email, 20 Jan 2011 Ian Crowther, NRMA Email, 20 Jan 2011 Matt Pulford, Office of Deborah O'Neill