L2P Program - Learner driver mentor program
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The City of Casey, in partnership with VicRoads, conducts an exciting community engagement program called the ‘L2P – Learner Driver Mentor Program’.
The program aims to assist young learner drivers under 21 years of age, who are without appropriate family support, to achieve their 120 hours of supervised driving experience. This experience is required prior to obtaining a Probationary Licence under the Graduated Licencing System introduced in July 2007.
In July 2008 the Victorian Government introduced amendments to the current Graduated Licencing System for probationary drivers.
Aim of the Graduated Licencing System
The Graduated Licencing System is designed to reduce the number of crashes, deaths and injuries suffered by young drivers in their first three years of solo driving.
Graduated Licencing Requirements for a learner driver under 21 when applying for Probationary Licence:
- 12 months minimum period on Learners permit
- Minimum 120 hours on-road practice with 10 hours at night
- Completion of the VicRoads Learner log book
- Move onto a one year P1, then three year P2 licence with a good driving record
Road safety research identified novice drivers as being two to three times more likely to have an accident in their first few years, increasing by 9 to 10 times at night, than experienced drivers. By increasing the time of supervised driving to 120 hours, crash rates can be reduced by up to 30 per cent.
Role of City of Casey
Administration of the L2P program will be overseen by the City of Casey with assistance from local volunteer drivers who participate in the role as mentor, driver and coach to the learner driver.
When new drivers are learning to drive with the support of a supervising driver their crash numbers are very small, but when they are licenced to drive alone, initially as probationary (P) drivers, their crash rates increase substantially.
L2P is designed to ensure that learners without ready access to supervising drivers and/or vehicles can maximise their supervised driving experience. Increased driving practice in the safest circumstances results in increased experience behind the wheel and helps reduce new driver crashes.
Access to a driver’s licence provides a foundation stepping stone to a wide range of employment. In this sense, L2P will help the mobility and potential social and economic success of our young people.
Volunteer Mentor Drivers
The City of Casey is currently recruiting volunteer licenced drivers from the community to provide supervision for the Program.
We are looking for volunteers who have:
- The ability to work with young people from diverse backgrounds.
- The ability to take on a coaching role rather than an instructing role.
- A current full Drivers Licence and a safe driving history with no serious offences.
- Time to commit to the program for a minimum of six months.
The program will include the availability of a fully maintained and serviced vehicle which has been donated by Berwick Mazda. This vehicle has a minimum four star ANCAP safety rating.
All volunteers will be required to complete a VicRoads training program and undergo a Working with Children Check and Police Check.
Success of the program depends heavily on volunteer involvement and community participation.
The program also includes up to seven professional driving lessons for the learner driver prior to being matched to a volunteer driving coach.
For further information, or to register your interest in volunteering for the program, please contact the City of Casey L2P Project Officer on 9705 5200.
Testimonies from current Volunteer Mentor Drivers
Trevor: I enjoy assisting those in need and also playing a role within my Community. I feel I have the relevant knowledge of road laws and the driving ability to assist young people to be safer road users.
Judy: I volunteered because I was looking for an area in which I felt I could give something back to the community, and I would also get a lot of satisfaction. Being someone who loves driving I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for me. I feel it can only be beneficial to the learners and in the long run all road users.
Tom: I felt the program was well worth volunteering for, especially considering the amount of accidents young people are involved in. If I can encourage one young person to drive carefully on our roads, we will all be safer.
Jenny: I have previous experience in Bike Ed, HPV and RoadSafe. I am horrified every day to hear the news of accidents regarding all types of road users. I thought "I can do this".
Testimonies from L2P participant
Candice: Being a part of the L2P program through the Casey Council really helped me to achieve the required 120 hours. Without patricipating in the program I would not have got my licence for quite some time. It also helped to quickly build my confidence.
Andy was a wonderful and friendly mentor. He taught me some very valuable skills which I don't think anyone else would have been able to teach me. I will never forget going up Serpant Lane in the Dandenong Ranges for the first time.
April was a great instructor and helped to improve a lot of my techniques. I recomend both April and the L2P program to all learner drivers I know.