A Dalby community group is looking for motoring mentors to help instruct the next generation of drivers.
PCYC Dalby’s Braking the Cycle driver training program wants experienced motorists to help learners towards the 100 instructed hours of driving needed for their licences.
The PCYC program, which also runs in Logan and Ipswich, launched in Dalby in September after being funded by Arrow through its Brighter Futures community investment program.
Program Coordinator Kelly Ryan said volunteers needed an open licence (held for at least 12 months) and a desire to help young drivers with their road craft.
Mrs Ryan said training experience wasn’t necessary. She arrived with no experience other than helping her eldest child through driver training and PCYC put her through mentor training that will be given to all volunteers.
PCYC will also help drivers with their Blue Card and other paperwork as well as providing the instruction vehicle and insurance cover.
It doesn’t matter if you’re unemployed or retired, all we want is people who can commit some time each week and are available through the week,” Mrs Ryan said.
“People can nominate their own days and times. We’ll start them off with one hour a week.
“If you’re interested, contact the PCYC or email me ([email protected]) for more information.”
Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner said driving safety was a priority for the company.
“Our simple goal is that every worker that comes to work in the morning gets to go home at night,” Mr Faulkner said.
“For this reason, I am very unhappy that Arrow can be involved in a program that projects road safety into the wider community, especially to the vulnerable, younger, learner drivers.”
Jason Caruso, Head of Dalby State High School’s Bunya Campus, said he intended to be one of the first volunteer mentors.
“Our boarding students are separated from the family members who would usually take up this role, so I see a great opportunity to help them out,” Mr Caruso said.
“One hundred hours of driving is a large commitment for all families but for those young drivers who for whatever reason can’t access a vehicle, an open licence holder or a qualified driving instructor, it is almost impossible.
“By volunteering it will assist young adults to become independent, opening career and study opportunities that might not have been possible if they were not able to transport themselves.”
When fully operational, Braking the Cycle will operate two vehicles from Dalby PCYC, offering up to 1040 hours of driver training.
Off-duty police officers and community volunteers will help young people who need assistance to achieve 100 log book hours of supervised driving towards their drivers’ licences.
The Braking the Cycle program won the Community award at the Queensland Road Safety Awards on October 22.
Arrow’s Brighter Futures community investment program last year invested more than $3.7 million on health, safety, education and environmental projects across Queensland.
Media contact:
Kelly Ryan
Phone: +61 7 4672 2400
[email protected]