Helping young, learner drivers be safer on the roads was the aim of a free workshop earlier this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The two hour information session for parents and supervisors of learner drivers was held by Dubbo Regional Council in conjunction with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).
Dubbo Regional Council’s Road Safety Officer, Jayne Bleechmore said it’s really daunting when parents send their child off for the first time solo driving, which is why they are trying to prepare young drivers for that experience.
“We’re trying to instill really good, low risk driving skills into them so that they can make very safe decisions and take appropriate action on the road,” she said.
Some of the discussions on the night focused on the benefits of on-road driving experience and how it can help prevent crashes in young people when they are first starting out on their own, Ms Bleechmore said.
Other topics also included completing the log book correctly, the newly introduced digital log book and the changes to the Learner and Provisional 1 and 2 driving tests.
On November, 20, 2017, the RMS brought in the the Graduated Licensing Scheme which aimed to help new drivers gain experience and become safer drivers by spreading the learning process over four years.
To progress from a learner to a full licence, new drivers need to pass the Driver Knowledge Test, then start supervised driving practice to work towards the 120 hours experience needed before sitting the driving test.
Once holding their Learner license for the specified time-frame they then needed to attempt the Hazard Perception Test (HPT).
New drivers then need to book and pass the driving test to get their provisional P1 (red) licence, which they hold for at least 12 months before they can apply to upgrade to a provisional P2 (green) licence.
After holding the P2 license for at least 24 months, drivers can they apply to progress to a full, unrestricted licence.
“There’s a little more testing before they’re out on their own,” Ms Bleechmore said.
“Because we had a few learner drivers in the group it was extra beneficial I think for them because we talked about the dangers of what happens when you go from your L’s with your parents next to you, to when you’re suddenly a red P plater on your own.
“So there was quite a bit… that we wanted to update people with, so very worthwhile.”
Local driving instructor Catherine Barnes, from Ceebeez Driving School, was the special guest speaker on the night.
“She was able to impart her knowledge… on how to prepare for your driving tests, especially for those learner drivcers who are near the end of their log book hours…,” Ms Bleechmore said.
For those wishing to attend a future course the next ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safe Drivers’ workshop will be in six months time.