Helping Learner drivers become safer drivers
Teaching a young person to drive can be a daunting task, but a number of Council workshops and hands-on driving events may help parents of learner drivers prepare their teenagers for safer driving experiences.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer, Melanie Lausz, said parents and supervisors of novice drivers have a crucial role to play in contributing to help make our roads safer.
“Introducing your learner to as much driving time as possible ‘in real driving situations’ is imperative to any young driver in improving their confidence, driving skills and knowledge,” Ms Lausz said. “But so too is varying the different conditions they may encounter on the road.”
“This includes driving in a range of traffic conditions including fog, rain, and at dusk.
“However, as rules and regulations change, not everyone is confident about teaching our youngest road users the skills and knowledge to progress through the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme,” Ms Lausz added.
The NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) requires all learner drivers to obtain a minimum amount of documented supervised driving experience.
“Consequently, Council will be holding a free two-hour GLS Parent Workshop on the evening of Wednesday the 6 August and a Logbook Run later in the month,” Ms Lausz said.
Free GLS Parent Workshop – Wednesday 6 August, 6.00pm in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre
The GLS Workshop provides practical advice on supervision, completing the Log Book and new licence conditions.
The presentation will reinforce the importance of a ‘stepped approach’ to allow learner drivers to obtain their initial driving experience in lower risk road locations, and then gradually presenting them with more complex situations such as interacting with other road users and being able to anticipate potential hazards.
Participants also learn the importance of teaching ‘low risk driving’ techniques to learners and the role of parents in establishing parameters and support for provisional licence holders.
Free Log Book Run – Sunday 17 August, 10.00am Moss Vale
The Log Book Run is a great opportunity for learner drivers to cover some of the many topics included in the Learner Driver Log Book and clock up some valuable driving experience hours.
Bookings for both events are essential.
Registration forms can be collected from Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Moss Vale office, Council libraries, the Welby Motor Registry or download a copy at: www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/services/road-safety
For further information contact Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0809.
Council holds four free two-hour Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) Parent Workshops and Logbook Runs each year in a bid to help our Shire’s young drivers gain more experience and help prepare them for solo driving.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s free GLS Parent Workshops and Log Book Runs are supported by Roads and Maritime Services.