MITCHELL Shire learner drivers are encouraged to take advantage of the new Keys2drive national learner driver safety program.
Under the program each participant receives a free lesson with a Keys2drive accredited driving instructor to promote safer driving.
Over the next 12-18 months Keys2drive will deliver 200,000 free lessons funded by the Federal Government in partnership with the Australian Automobile Association and its constituent motoring clubs.
The free lesson uses a ‘train the learner’ model with the accredited driving instructor assisting the supervisor/parent to guide the learner driver to adopt safe driving practices.
It does this through face to face practical information and instruction on how they can most effectively assist in the training of their learner drivers.
Keys2drive provides a different approach to learning to drive – a coaching method called ‘find your own way’ which encourages the learner driver to make their own decisions rather than always being told what to do.
This technique assists a learner driver to become “P-plate ready” and district driving schools believe that over time, this approach will create a new culture of safer driving.
Wallan Driving School instructor Daniel Lombardo recently became accredited under the program.
“The Keys2drive program is all about providing a wider and deeper learning,” Mr Lombardo said.
“It aims to put learner drivers in those unfamiliar situations, get them lost and take them out of their comfort zones, but with an accredited instructor.
“As P-plate drivers they will face these situations and this teaches them how to deal with them in a safer environment.”
Driving instructors throughout Victoria have been Keys2drive accredited and are available now for free lessons.
For more information or to find out which driving schools are accredited in your area visit the Keys2drive website at <www.keys2drive.com.au>.