A PROGRAM that empowers young people currently facing barriers, to undertake the mandatory 100 hours of supervised driving required to obtain a licence, has been introduced into the Burdekin.
The PCYC ‘Braking the Cycle’ is a learner driver mentoring program that matches young drivers with a volunteer mentor and provides a safe vehicle to support participants to achieve their licence.
Mentors not only provide practical instruction to help participants develop positive road safety attitudes and safe driving behaviours, they also offer encouragement, positive support and community connection.
Program co-ordinator, Gavin Neal said their goals include assisting young people to obtain their driver’s licences, which in turn assists them to secure employment, access further education and training opportunities and remain connected to families and friends.
“This mobility is a particularly important aspect for those living in remote and rural communities, where public transport is limited,” Mr Neal said.
“Braking the Cycle aims to create safer young drivers and increase social inclusion and workforce participation of disadvantaged at risk young people through mentoring, education and assistance to obtain a driver’s licence.”
Since the inception of the program in Queensland, 7500 participants/students have been involved along with 600 mentors and 2772 participants have gained their licences.
Would you like to support young people to learn to drive?
Can you spare an hour or more a week?
If so, Mr Neal said they would love you to join their team of over 400 volunteer driver mentors.
“You will need to hold an open licence (minimum 12 months) and have or be willing to obtain a Blue Card (we can help you with this),” he said.
“Student participation is assessed by a driving school to ensure competency and vehicles and comprehensive training is provided for mentors.”
Mr Neal said he would be running an ‘Information and Pizza Evening’ at the PCYC in Ayr from 6pm on Tuesday, May 24.
Inquiries should be directed to Gavin Neal at gavin.neal@pcyc.org.au or by phoning the Burdekin PCYC (4783 1009) or search Braking the Cycle PCYC Queensland for further details.
