Licence to drive

By Bridget Cook
THE green light is now on for a new mentoring program for learner drivers, after it was officially launched for the Greater Dandenong area yesterday.
The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program was launched at Ramada Encore Hotel Café yesterday morning.
The program is a community-based volunteer program designed to provide young learner drivers with access to driving practice, under the supervision of a fully licensed volunteer driver.
The program is specifically designed for drivers aged 16 to 21 who face significant barriers in completing the minimum 120 hours of driving experience.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said the program was designed to ensure all young people, no matter their situation, had the opportunity to learn to drive.
“The Dandenong L2P program will help participants develop safe driving skills, while getting the 120 hours of required experience on the road,” he said.
“The learner period isthe safest time for increasingdriving practice.
“Increased driving practice helps reduce probationary driver crashes.”
Cr Memeti said 11 volunteer mentors had already been trained to become supervising drivers for the program.
Funded by the State Government, the City of Greater Dandenong in partnership with VicRoads, are working with local community agencies to implement the L2P program.
The program is part of the Victorian Government’s $9 million road safety initiative.