WHAT could a bank and an insurer do to help younger drivers to stay safe on our roads and help them if we work together?

ANSWER: Offer an integrated customer solution – a car loan and insurance in one which drives the price down when drivers undertake a safer driver program – which is targeted at younger drivers aged 18-25 years.

Bendigo Bank (and its youth organisation Lead On) together with CGU Insurance and backed by the Geelong Region Football Committee (GRFC) is working to achieve a common goal - stop young people dying on our roads.

“Male drivers aged 15-24 year old are three times as likely to die on the roads as their female counterparts., while novice drivers under 26 years represent 16 percent of all drivers, yet 28 percent of all fatal crashes,” Bendigo Bank Malop St Manager Chris Niven explained.

“Geelong, Surf Coast, Golden Plains and Moorabool shires have witnessed 13 road fatalities in the past 12 months. Five of these were people aged 25 or under, making up 38% of all fatalities. This is more than double the overall rate of Victorian road fatalities involving those 25 or under, which sits at 16 percent,” he added.

“It is a known fact that driver education reduces the road toll. By extension, driver education protects communities from enduring the pain of young lives lost. Our investment improves young people’s access to driver education.”

WHAT IS GREEN LIGHT?

Greenlight helps create safer drivers by offering quality, accessible, community-based driving courses across Australia. The program has an holistic approach which includes education, financial information and advice around safe vehicles

“Greenlight has a focus on supporting young drivers aged 16-25 as they are over represented in the road toll statistics. Greenlight works with young drivers to give them a better understanding of driving psychology, how this affects their driving style and skills,” said Niven.

HOW DOES GREEN LIGHT WORK?

Greenlight is offered as half day courses covering the following:

•        On-road personality and how it affects your driver safety

•        Safety skills including ABS braking and how to use it; skid control & prevention; understanding your vehicles safety features

•        Drugs/alcohol and how they can affect your driving

•        Texting/using devices and how they can affect your driving

•        Fatigue and how it affects your driving

•        Crashes aren’t accidents and how they can be prevented

•        Safer cars and what that means for safer drivers

There will be a further nine days of  two and a half day courses right across the Geelong region with a maximum of 20 places available per session,” said Niven.

CUSTOMER OFFER

The Bendigo Bank and its corporate partners are offering FREE spots in one of the upcoming Greenlight programs (valued at $300 each).

For all those who complete the course, there will be huge insurance discounts on offer (equates to going from rating 6 to rating 1 - a 60% no claims bonus discount based on an 18 year old). Participants will receive a no obligation car insurance quote after the course.

There will also be reduced personal loan interest rates or leases offered on either their first or next car.

In order to retain the offer, though, participants must not lose any demerit points or have an at-fault claim.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT:

Chris Niven –Manager

Malop St Branch Geelong

63-67 Malop Street (Cnr Malop & Moorabool  Streets)

Phone: 5221 2172

Email: Chris.Niven@bendigoadelaide.com.au