New program targets young learner drivers

A new initiative to reduce the number of young people killed on Queensland roads was launched by Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today.

Launching the initiative at Ferny Grove State High School, Mr Welford said education and on-road driving experience was essential to make young Queensland drivers safer on the road.

“Leighton Contractors has set up the Youth Safe Drive Initiative to help young people gain crucial driving experience so they are much safer drivers,” Mr Welford said.

“The initiative will initially target 500 secondary students at 10 state high schools in south-east Queensland and Leighton Contractors plans to extend this new program to schools throughout regional and remote Queensland next year and potentially nationwide.

“This initiative comes after one of the worst July holiday periods on Queensland roads with 24 fatalities within two weeks – nine were aged between 17 and 24.

“Last year 80 young Queenslanders lost their lives on our roads.

“The key to stopping the carnage is education and vital on-road driving experience.”

Under the Leighton Contractors’ initiative selected students will receive five hours of accredited learner driver instruction in one of four new Toyota Corollas.

“The five hours of driver training can equal up to 15 hours in the learner’s log book that has to be completed to get a drivers’ licence,” Mr Welford said.

“The first novice drivers to complete the full 100-hour logbook requirement have only begun to receive P1 licences this month so it will be three more years before they reach their open licences.

“Along with Queensland Transport, my Department is also working on a number of proposals to improve road safety for children and young people, including the development of a road safety curriculum starting at Prep through to Year 9.”

The state high schools involved in the Leighton Contractors Youth Drive Safe Initiative are Bremer, Brisbane, Bundamba, Caboolture, Ipswich, Kenmore, Macgregor, Morayfield, Tullawong, as well as Ferny Grove State High School where the initiative was launched.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000