Press Release
For immediate release
Gippsland Power Players Promote New Graduated Licensing System
17th April, 2007
VicRoads, TAC and Gippsland Power are asking learner drivers and their parents to spare just 90 minutes to begin the process of becoming a better and safer driver.
FACT: Learner drivers hardly ever have crashes, yet young `P' Plate drivers are 3 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in their first year of driving than at any other time.
Good drivers aren't born. They are made. And the only way to be a good driver is by gaining extensive on-road driving experience. This requires co-operation between a learner and their parent or supervising driver.
To better prepare new drivers for the demands of probationary driving,
Victoria's new graduated licensing system will gradually introduce a number of
measures in the learner driving stage to extend learning and increase supervised
on-road learner practice over the next two years. These will include a 12 month
minimum learner period, a requirement to complete 120 hours supervised
on-road driving practice and an improved driving test to obtain a P licence.
For more information on this go to arrivealive.vic.gov.au
The Power players are promoting the new GLS laws and the Keys Please program in their schools to students and parents.
Keys Please is the first step to getting into the driver's seat.
It is a positive and proactive program for learners and their parents that introduces the different driving skills a learner needs to get their licence - including the importance of forming a positive partnership with their parent or supervising driver.
Learning to drive is one of the most complex skills a person will ever have to master. It is based on mutual trust and communication, so as well as knowing how to drive, a supervising driver needs to know how to be a patient and effective teacher. Its just like a coach/player relationship.
Equally important is ensuring that learner drivers have obtained extensive driving experience before they go for their licence. We wouldn't expect the Power boys to play without practice.
Research now suggests that to minimise the high number of fatalities and serious accidents involving P-Plate drivers a learner should clock up at least 120 hours. And that experience should cover all conditions: wet, dry, day, night, country and city driving.
120 hours may seem daunting, but it's really only one hour per week over a two-year period. That's a round trip to footy training, plus a trip to the game each week.
Peter Francis, General Manager from Gippsland Power says: "Supervising a learner driver fills most people with a mixture of fear and frustration - especially when it is their own child. Keys Please provides learners and their parents or supervisors with practical strategies to form a positive partnership so that when a learner says "Keys Please", their parents hand over the keys, and not the excuses."
Keys Please has been developed by VicRoads, in conjunction with the Victoria Police, Transport Accident Commission, Department of Education and Training, and Community Road Safety Councils.
For information on when your next Keys Please session is, please contact VicRoads on 5172 2640.
Last Modified on 26/05/2008 12:40