Helping kids to go

RACV Fountain Gate is a new corporate sponsor of the City of Casey’s L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program.
The program is designed to assist disadvantaged learner drivers gain the 120 hours of driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes said that as young, inexperienced drivers could be a danger to themselves and others, it was imperative that all learner drivers completed the requisite 120 hours exper-ience before attempting to qualify for their probationary licence.
“The more experience a learner driver can get before sitting for their Ps, the safer they will be as a solo driver. There are no short cuts,” Cr Balmes said.
Learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 who are with-out appropriate family support are matched with mentor drivers while they complete their mandatory 120 hours driving practise, as part of the L2P Learner Driver Program.
City of Casey manager community safety Caroline Bell said that the RACV donation; a Melway edition, first aid kit and set of ‘P’ plates to each of the program’s 25 participants, rewarded young people in the program for their participation and recognised their achievement upon completing their 120 hours.
“The L2P program is a community-based road safety initiative that relies heavily on volunteer participation and sponsorship,” Ms Bell said.
“Due to limited funds, spiralling fuel prices and high demand from young people in our community to participate in this program, further assistance is needed to ensure the program remains sustainable.”
Ms Bell said the City of Casey thanked the current sponsors of the L2P program; Berwick Mazda, which donated the fully-maintained vehicle used for the driving sessions, ConnectEast, which provided credit for use on tollway roads, and their newest partner, RACV Fountain Gate.
For more information about the L2P Learner Driver Program, including how to become a mentor or provide sponsorship or support, call 9705 5200.