Youth driving program revs up

Y-Drive pairs up volunteer mentors with young learner drivers lacking access to a car or supervising driver, to accumulate the 120 hours of driving experience required to achieve their provisional licence (P-plates).

The first training day for mentors was run by YouthSafe, on Saturday.

Eurobodalla council’s Y-Drive coordinator Angie McMillan said there was a lot of interest in the program.

“We’re really excited this project is driving ahead,” she said.

“We have a great bunch of mentors, the kids are keen and there has been such wonderful support in the community – everyone’s behind it and recognises the need for a program like this. It really has the potential to change young people’s lives for the better.”

Y-Drive’s 15 learners will have lessons with a qualified driving instructor before being hooked up with a mentor to achieve the required hours.

Ms McMillan said the possibility of young people being involved in a road accident increased dramatically once they obtained their P1 licence.

“The Y-Drive program aims to give the young learners as much experience as possible to prepare them for a lifetime of driving in a range of road and driving conditions,” she said.

“Council would like to thank the community-minded mentors who joined the program and we look forward to their valuable input.”

Mentor applications and more information from Angie McMillan on 4474 7456.