By Jessica Anstice
Learner drivers who take part in Cardinia Shire’s L2P program are back on the road, after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown driving lessons and Vicroads licence tests.
The Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) L2P program aims to assist disadvantaged learner drivers, aged 16 to 21, who don’t have access to a supervising driver or a vehicle to gain the 120 hours of driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.
The program focuses on helping young people become safe, confident drivers, in an effort to reduce the state’s road toll.
“Prior to the suspension, we already had a wait time of approximately six months,” L2P coordinator Jenny Bayliss said.
“This has now blown out further of course and it is difficult to estimate by how much exactly, until those at the top of the list are contacted and re-booked if still required.”
The volunteer-run program provides an opportunity for young people to interact with positive adult role models, gain confidence and move towards social independence.
The L2P driving program offers great support to young people in the local community that are unable to learn to drive with a friend or relative for various reasons.
For example, a former L2P participant, Mike, joined the program as his mother has been involved in a car accident.
The car accident had left his mother injured, which meant her confidence to teach Mike how to drive was impacted.
Mike felt anxious about driving as a result of being in the accident, however, he needed to obtain his licence in order to travel to university and part time employment, while looking after his mother and younger
brother.
The young man was approached the program coordinators and subsequently was matched with a suitable driver mentor from the program.
As a result, he was successful in obtaining his licence after completing the required hours.
“I would never have got my licence if it wasn’t for the L2P program and the patience of my mentor who helped me gain the confidence I needed to start driving again,” Mike said.
Coordinated from Kooweerup Regional Health Service, the program was forced to suspend all driving lessons from March 16 – which of course impacted greatly on the programs’ existing participants as well as those who have been on the waiting list for some time.
“We understand there is a lot of frustration for the young people on our waiting list at the moment, who through no fault of their own will now have to wait even longer to gain their licence and independence which is so important for our youth,” Ms Bayliss said.
“Many of them are relying on lifts from friends, parents who are working and public transport which may not be a suitable option for them.
“They are in need of a licence to either get them to their jobs or an educational facility, or enable them to be successful in obtaining employment.”
Kooweerup Regional health Service youth and community development order and volunteer mentor driver, Brian Harlow, said the program’s greatest need at the moment is volunteers.
“The Victorian Government through the TAC has provided funding to run this program for almost 10 years and Kooweerup Regional Health Service support the program by providing two cars,” he explained.
“But we need the community to get behind the young people and help them out by providing a few hours of their time each week.”
Mentors must meet the following criteria to join the TAC L2P program:
– be over 21-years-old
– hold a current full Victorian driver licence
– can commit approximately two hours per week
To apply to be a volunteer mentor driver, call Brian Harlow or Jenny Bayliss on 5997 9687.
