Leeton Shire Council will be holding a free workshop for parents and supervisors of learner drivers in Leeton at the Major Dooley Library on Wednesday 28th of February 2018 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Booking is essential.
Steph Puntoriero, Road Safety Officer, Leeton Shire Council said the Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers course offers parents and supervisors practical advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.
Younger drivers face many challenges when learning the complex task of driving a vehicle. With their inexperience, they also face a higher risk of danger. Despite making up only about 15 per cent of all drivers, younger drivers represent more than a third of annual road fatalities.
“Parents and supervisors play a vital role in advising and supporting novice drivers. This course was developed by Transport for NSW to support and better prepare them for the job.”
“The workshop will cover topics such as how to use the Learner Driver Log Book; including the digital version, planning driving sessions, how to deal with stressful situations that may arise during driving practice, the changes to the licensing scheme introduced in November 2017, mobile phones rules and the importance of giving the learner constructive feedback,” added Mrs Puntoriero.
“Passing on the right driving skills to learner drivers can save their lives. Anyone supervising a learner is encouraged to attend. The workshops are also relevant for parents whose children will be obtaining their learner driver licence shortly.”
“Recent data shows, over the last five years more than 30% of all drivers involved in crashes in Leeton Shire were under the age of 25 years."
“Crash data indicates there is a spike in crash involvement for P1 drivers in the first six months of unsupervised driving as shown in the graph below. P1 drivers are eight times more likely to be involved in a crash in the first month of independent driving. It is vital that parents and supervisors pass on the right information and skills to keep their young drivers safe on the roads,” Mrs Puntoriero added.
