The City of Casey’s L2P program celebrated National Volunteer Week and the Transport Accident Commission’s state-wide L2P clocking of a million hours on Thursday, 22 May.
The local program is spearheaded by 45 volunteer mentor drivers, having assisted over 300 people in obtaining their probationary license through the 120 hours required from the learner’s permit.
Casey’s mayor, Stefan Koomen, said that “it was such an honour to join the L2P coordinators and mentor drivers to celebrate National Volunteer Week”.
“The L2P program changes lives, giving young people free access to the supervised driving hours they need to get their license and gain independence,” he said.
State-wide, roughly 7,500 volunteers serve as the heart of the program, which has provided more than 23,000 young drivers across Victoria with the essential skills for safe driving since 2009.
Victoria’s Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, said that the program “plays a vital role in empowering and enhancing a young person’s confidence by teaching them to drive safely and reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities among young drivers”.
“Gaining a license also enhances a young person’s confidence and social independence, allowing them to engage with their friends and community, helping them access employment opportunities and education,” she said.
In Casey, the 45 volunteers have donated 3000 hours to provide learners with they key road safety and driving skills, with Mayor Koomen addin that “week after week, the mentors generously share their time”.
“They help learners build not just driving skills, but confidence and trust along the way; thank you to all our volunteers across Casey who make a difference in the lives of young people,” he said.
The L2P program matches learner drivers aged 16 to 21 years old who don’t have access to a car or a supervising driver with a fully licensed volunteer mentor and car to help them get the driving experience they need.
In addition to helping these younger drivers tack hours and skills into their log book, it also allows the volunteers to directly engage with their local community.
Tracey Slatter, TAC ceo, said that “the more experience learner drivers can gain, the better equipped they will be to become safer solo drivers”.
“The TAC L2P program provides learner drivers with equal access to driving experience and an opportunity to develop the skills and behaviours necessary for a culture of road safety in Victoria,” she said.
