Government Program Provides The Keys To Safe P-Plate Driving

Senator Trish Crossin today launched a federally funded program in the Northern Territory to save young lives on our roads.

“Last year, 334 young Australians aged between 17 and 25 died in road accidents,” Senator Crossin said.

“It is a fact that young people, under the age of 25, are more likely to be involved in a car crash than any other age group, particularly in the first six months after they obtain their P-plates.

“Keys2drive has been developed by the Australian Automobile Association to stop these tragedies occurring on our roads.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said that the risks in these early stages of driving can be reduced by extending the quantity and variety of supervised driving during the learner period.

“Keys2drive is an important Australian Government initiative designed to help supervisors and students develop this driving experience,” Ms King said.

“Keys2drive offers a free driving lesson to each learner driver and their supervisor with a keys2drive accredited driving instructor.

“The Australian Government has committed $17 million over five years to fund the program. It will be run in all Australian states and territories and aims to provide around 200,000 free driving lessons to learner drivers and their parents,” Ms King said.

Minister for Indigenous Health and local member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon said the keys2drive will have particular benefits  for the Northern Territory.

“The Northern Territory has one the highest rate of road deaths of any State or Territory in the country.”

“Of particular concern is the accident rate for Indigenous Australians, which account for more than 10 per cent of deaths on our roads.”

“Keys2drive is another important step to reduce this awful toll through focusing on young people becoming safe, confident and crash-free drivers” Mr. Snowdon said.

For further information on the keys2drive program or to book your free keys2drive lesson, visit www.keys2drive.com.au.