Programs for Learner drivers In Queensland
21.8% of fatalities on Queensland Roads in 2015 were young adult drivers (Aged 16 to 24).
Each year the tally increases and many of those fatalities are young drivers.
Lack of experience, over confidence and just pushing the limits of their vehicle has resulted in too many young lives lost.
Everyone knows someone who lost their lives in road accidents; many teenagers will experience this at a young age from their own peer group.
Peer pressure plays a significant part especially with other youth in the vehicle. Pressuring the driver to impress the fellow passengers in their driving skills and ability to drive at high speeds.
Members of our communities feel that they can do more to prevent these accidents. Therefore through education and support we can all work towards a common goal.
What is BRAKE Drive Awareness?
Organisations that are making a difference like BRAKE Driver Awareness are educating young drivers on how to be road safe.
Police Officer, Sargent Rob Duncan was fed up with holding the hands of dying young drivers in wreckages.
He founded BRAKE Driver Awareness to reduce the road toll because he felt that he was too late when attending the accident.
The problem needed to be solved before the driver gets into the car.
He encourages parents to still get into the passenger seat even when their teenager has their P Plates.
It is normal for the P Plater to revel in their new found freedom alone or with friends. However, the more time they spend with a more experienced driver the more they will continue learning.
Defensive Driving Classes
Classes targeting year 11 students to educate about the other dangers on the roads. These are the dangers that are not taught about on a license test.
Things like wildlife, kangaroos, stopping distances as well as travelling on dirt roads.
There are insurance companies in the past and present that have encouraged young drivers to take a defensive driving course.
The incentive given to lower their insurance premiums while increasing the driver rating.
Some courses have the driver bring their own vehicle to show how long it actually takes to stop in their own vehicle.
For example: The driver is instructed to drive the vehicle at 60kms per hour in a straight line towards a set of safety cones.
When they are in line with the cones they have to slam on the brakes of their vehicle to a complete stop. They turn the vehicle off and step out of the vehicle to observe how far it took the car to come to a complete stop from the cones.
The notion is carried out again but this time at 40kms per hour. This gives the driver a real life perspective on how speed plays a huge difference in stopping distances and it just isn’t something that they are reading in a test.
The theory sessions tend to be more involved with an instructor who engages the participants and who tests their knowledge.
This hands on approach is beneficial to the drivers as they are able to apply what they know, what they have then learned immediately in their own vehicle they are driving every day.
Braking the Cycle Initiative
Braking the Cycle approaches the issue of inexperienced drivers from another angle.
The organisation was initiated by Samantha Wilson (Local Employment Co-ordinator) and Maria Griffin, (Employment Project Officer).
Samantha and Maria were trying to find a solution to the issue of learner drivers who didn’t have access to vehicles and experienced drivers.
Due to having no drivers license applicants were missing employment opportunities.
Up-skilling them in this area are going to greatly increase the chances for employment.
Without the funds of paying for private lessons it is very difficult for that driver to get the experience required.
Mentors based in Logan and Ipswich have made their cars and time available to learner drivers.
Therefore learner drivers are able to meet their mandatory 100 hours of driving required.
The success of the program is significant. Being that since mid-2102 when the project started over 200 disadvantaged young people have logged 6500 hours.
All thanks to the 90 volunteer mentors.
In short, the flow on effects are significant. Safer young drivers, reduction in unemployment and guidance given to those who need it most.
There are many members of community often look for ways to volunteer to help others.
This program allows people to give back to such a great and needy cause.