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Wanted - New Learner Drivers And MentorsThe Bass Coast L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is seeking new learner drivers and mentors.
By Bass Coast - 5th August 2014 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Acting Community and Economic Development Director, Antoinette Mitchell, said the program is particularly looking for learner drivers and mentors in the Waterline and Phillip Island area.
"L2P helps 16 to 21 year-old learners without access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain 120 hours of driver experience prior to obtaining their probationary licence," Ms Mitchell said.
"Many young people do not have the resources to gain their licence without the support this program offers."
The program has recently expanded its service by an additional car through sponsorship by the Bass Coast Community Foundation.
"Based at Corinella and District Community Centre for now, the new car will be rotated between Corinella and Phillip Island when mentors and learner drivers from these two areas are recruited," Ms Mitchell said.
"It opens up the opportunity to young people in these areas who have not been able to access the program before."
Bass Coast L2P Program Coordinator, Veronica Dowman, explained L2P is free for eligible young people.
"The community based program is funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), supplemented through local sponsorship by businesses such as Grantville Bendigo Community Bank and Dandy Pre-Mix Quarries and managed by Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre," Ms Dowman said.
"The program benefits are many; for both the learner and the mentor.
"Learners who gain their licence have easier access to employment and training, and learners who undertake 120 supervised driving hours are significantly less likely to be involved in a serious crash injury in the first 12 months of licenced driving.
"The supervising driver mentors are critical to the success of the program as they provide guidance to the learner drivers.
"They are helping to reduce the road toll."
Ms Dowman said there are currently 32 active L2P learner drivers in Bass Coast. Last financial year, nine learner drivers received their probationary licence.
For anyone interested in taking on the role of a mentor in the Bass Coast L2P program, there is a mentor training program funded by TAC and approved by VicRoads scheduled during September at Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre, Mitchell House.
For further information on the learner driver or mentor programs, please contact Veronica Dowman at Mitchell House on (03) 5672 3731 or basscoastl2p@hotmail.com.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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