Helping parents teach learners how to drive

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3631-helping-parents-teach-learners-how-to-drive-.html

Monday, 16 April 2012

From the Minister for Roads
Parents now have an online resource, 'Lessons from the Road,' to help them fulfill their vital role as supervisors of learner drivers, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said today.

Mr Mulder said parents play a crucial role in helping learner drivers become safer P platers.

"Learning to drive is an important partnership between the learner driver and their supervisor, providing the foundations for safe solo driving," Mr Mulder said.

"Research shows that learners who gain experience with parents have about a 20 per cent lower crash and traffic offence rates once they are licensed than learners who only take professional lessons.

"The role of supervising a learner driver often lands on a parent or relative who may need some help remembering what it is like to be a new driver.

"Lessons from the Road contains tips on managing the stages of learning to drive, dealing with challenges along the way and helping young drivers to stay safe on the roads once they get their P plates."

Mr Mulder said Lessons from the Road is easy to use and can be accessed anywhere at anytime. The eight short videos follow the stories of three learner drivers and their parents, showcasing the emotions and real life issues involved in learning to drive. It complements the VicRoads Guide for Supervising Drivers, found in the Learner Kit.

As part of Victoria's Graduated Licensing System, learners must obtain 120 hours of on-road driving experience. Ensuring they get this valuable experience in a variety of conditions takes time and patience, so making sure parents feel supported in this role is essential.

"Ensuring learner drivers develop safe driving habits is vital in driving down the road toll," Mr Mulder said.

"In 2011, 26 per cent of drivers killed on Victorian roads were aged between 18 and 25 years, despite this age group representing around only 12 per cent of Victorian licence holders.

"Research shows newly licensed drivers that have 120 hours of supervised on-road learner experience have a 30 per cent lower risk of crashing compared to those with only 50 hours of practice, so it is essential that we use these 120 hours to our best advantage."

Mr Mulder said Lessons from the Road complements the continuing roll out of Keys Please information sessions held in more than 400 high schools across the state every year.

"Keys Please information sessions held in schools provide essential road safety information to more than 20,000 learners or around 31 per cent of the Year 10 population in Victoria annually," Mr Mulder said.

Lessons from the Road is available at: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/supervisors