Re-vamped workshops to assist parents of Learner Drivers

Young driver safety is an important issue for parents as their supervision of young drivers plays a major role in helping them to become safer drivers.

While this can be a daunting task, with getting a Provisional licence now having more requirements and being more time-consuming than ever before, help is at hand.

To assist parents to successfully supervise a learner driver, New England (NESAC) Road Safety Officer Tom Fisher will present a series of free workshops for parents who are currently or about to begin supervising a Learner driver.

“The ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ workshop explores practical ways in which parents can become a high-quality supervisor of their Learner driver,” Mr Fisher said. “It has been completely revised and renewed, to take in the changes that were made to the program in 2007.”

The workshop covers requirements of the NSW graduated licencing scheme (from pre-L to L to P1 and P2- unrestricted); using the Learner Logbook effectively; the role of professional driving instructors; building and maintaining a positive Learner/Supervisor partnership; using resources such as the Road User Handbook and RTA; and emphasizing the importance of safety to your Learner driver.

“Helping Learner Drivers also provides a rare opportunity for parents of Learner drivers to meet others going through the same process,” Mr Fisher said. “Parents have found this aspect to be particularly valuable because supervising a Learner can be challenging. Talking to others going through the same experience can improve both knowledge and confidence.”

The workshops will run for a approximately two hours, with tea and coffee provided, and will be held at the following times and locations:

Walcha: Wednesday May 7, 7pm to 9pm, Walcha Motel, 31W Fitzroy Street;
Armidale:  Wednesday, May 14, 7pm to 9pm, Armidale Dumaresq Council Chamber, 135 Rusden Street;
Guyra:  Tuesday, May 6, 7pm to 9pm, Guyra Neighbourhood Centre, 59 Ollera Street;
Uralla:  Tuesday May 20, 7pm to 9pm, Large Meeting Room,Uralla Community Centre, 9 Hill Street.

For further information and bookings contact Tom Fisher on 6770 3869, 0429 783 314 or email tfisher@armidale.nsw.gov.au. Places are strictly limited.