keys2drive – free federal government pilot program

keys2drive is a national education pilot program for new drivers, their supervisors, and driving instructors that aims for zero harm in the first six months of P plate driving.

Graduate School of Motoring director Heath Ward was selected as one of the 15 people across the country to be trained as a coach to deliver this innovative attitude-altering program to driving Instructors. The initiative will see novice drivers in Australia offered one free driving lesson when accompanied by their supervisor.

The aim of the new program will be to try to replicate the careful attitudes of learner drivers before they pass their test.

Research shows that the rate of casualty crashes are minimal with learner drivers, but once they receive their provisional licence the rate increases about 30 times. Also, in about three-quarters of cases, the young adult driver or rider is considered ‘at fault’ in crashes relating to death and injury.

keys2drive is intended to work alongside existing driver programs, but aims to encourage learning that’s:

• Longer - providing more hours behind the wheel
• Wider - experiencing a greater variety of driving challenges in all conditions
• Deeper - gaining a greater understanding of the psychological, emotional and mental challenges involved, and the true responsibility that each driver holds.

For more information or to register for the program visit www.keys2drive.com.au.