The keys to life

By Lia Bichel
A SENIOR policeman has praised a new free learner driving lesson, rolled out by the Federal Government.
Learner drivers and their supervisors are encouraged to get online and register for the keys2drive program, to help reduce the incidence of road crashes involving young drivers.
The program offers free driving lessons to learner drivers and supervisors, with accredited driving instructors.
Casey Highway Patrol’s Senior Sergeant John Felton said he thought many people were apprehensive about learning how to drive and thought the program would be beneficial.
“Any assistance for our learner drivers is great,” Sen Sgt Felton said.
Keys2drive is the single largest national learner driver safety program in Australia, and the first of its kind undertaken anywhere in the world. It is aimed at saving lives through education.
Berwick resident Jack Arthurson, 17, is learning to drive and his mum Fiona said the website was a great idea and she would take advantage of the free lessons.
La Trobe MP Laura Smyth said the Australian Government funded over 60,000 driving lessons through the keys2drive and encouraged every parent with a child learning to drive to sign up for the program.
“Every parent with a child learning to drive should take the time to have a keys2drive lesson with their child,” Ms Smyth said.
“Unfortunately young drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash. Immediately drivers move from Ls to Ps their risk of being in a car crash jumps dramatically and stays extremely high for about six months. That means young drivers are at risk.
“The good news is that the risks in these early stages of driving can be reduced with more supervised driving practice during the learner period. Keys2drive is invaluable for equipping both parents and learner drivers with driving skills and information for supervisors.”
Keys2drive is an Australian Government funded program that has been developed by the Australia Automobile Association (AAA) with support from the driver training industry. It provides on-road technical skills and off-road learning with an interactive website, videos and educational games.
For further information or to book your free keys2drive lesson visit www.keys2drive.com.au