Allina Clark and her mentor Helen Holiday. 47938_02
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
LEARNER drivers in the Yarra Valley are being given extra support to get on the road safely – and sensibly.
A new program launched yesterday will help young people in the Shire who want to learn how to drive, but don’t have access to a car or someone to supervise them.
The L2P Driver Mentor Program allows drivers aged 16 to 21 who are paired with an experienced mentor to get the 120 hours of on-road practice required for solo driving.
A new vehicle, leased for 12 months with the support of sponsors Swinburne University Lilydale and the Bendigo Bank, will operate around Healesville, Yarra Junction and Lilydale to assist those who don’t have a vehicle.
Lilydale resident Allina Clark is one of the many young people who will benefit from the program.
She has to get to work at 6am. There is no public transport and she relies on her partner for a lift.
“I’m really struggling to get my hours up, but I want to learn the proper way,” she said.
Her mentor driver will be Olinda resident Helen Holiday, who has experience helping the children of her friends learn to drive.
Ms Holiday said she wants to be Allina’s “permanent little voice in her head”.
“If I could save at least one person from killing themselves, I’d think I’ve done a good job,” she said.
VicRoads Acting Director of Road Safety Catherine Gunn said inexperience is the most significant crash factor for young drivers.
“In the five years from 2005 to 2009, 115 drivers aged 18 to 21 were seriously injured in the Yarra Ranges,” she said.
Ms Gunn said seven mentors had been trained to become supervising drivers in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
The program is aiming to help up to 30 learner drivers train for their probationary licence test.
Anybody interested in being a learner or mentor can contact Lara Thurlow at Yarra Ranges Youth Services on 9294 6716.
