Free driver-training workshops

With recent changes to learner licences, Lismore City Council is offering supervising drivers the opportunity to attend a free workshop.

DO YOU feel qualified to teach your children how to drive?

Many of us with children approaching 16-years-of-age haven't had a driving lesson or seen a driving licence test for decades, and over that period things have changed dramatically.

With recent changes to learner and provisional licences, Lismore City Council is offering supervising drivers the opportunity to attend a free workshop.

The workshops are sponsored by the Roads and Maritime Services (previously RTA) and will be held at the Goonellabah Sports Club in Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah on Wednesday, September 5.

Lisa Marshall, the Council's road safety officer said the 'GLS - Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers' workshop would offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

"Over the past few years, Roads & Maritime Services have introduced a number of changes to the Graduated Licensing Program for learner drivers and most supervising drivers are not aware of these changes," she said.

"This workshop provides supervising drivers with the opportunity to become more aware of what is required of them throughout the process.

"One of the biggest benefits of the more recent changes is the one-for-three scheme, where learner drivers who complete a one hour structured driving lesson with a fully licensed driving instructor, can record three hours driving experience in their learner driver log book. This will assist a number of people who struggle with gaining the required 120 hours of driving experience.

Ms Marshall said the workshop would cover a variety of topics such as how to use the learner driver log book; how to plan driving sessions; how to deal with difficulties that may arise during driving practice and the importance of providing constructive feedback.

The aim of the program is to focus on drivers at an early stage in an effort to reduce the crash rate for young drivers.
"The latest data shows there has been 167 fatal crashes on NSW roads this year resulting in 183 deaths, unfortunately a number of these crashes are overrepresented by young people," Ms Marshall said.

"Regrettably there have been two fatal crashes in the Lismore Local Government Area in the past two months.

"This clearly highlights the strong need to emphasise safety for our young drivers and the Council is well aware of how important is for families that learner drivers get the best possible training and that supervisors have access to the most up-to-date information, which is why we continue to provide these free workshops."

Bookings for the workshop are essential and can be made by contacting Lismore City Council on 1300 878 387.


 

Originally published as Free driver-training workshops