News
Innovative young driver education program keys2drive launched
Posted on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 | Permalink
During 2008/2009 Driver Safety Services project managed, designed and commenced implementation of a national young driver program, called keys2drive, for the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and its constituent organisations, NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RACT, RAASA, RACWA, AANT.
The Australian Government has committed $17 million over five years (2007 to 2011) to develop and roll out the program across Australia.
keys2drive is a behavioural change program that is designed to combat the dramatic increase in crash risk the day novice driver’s transition from L's (Learner licence) to P's (Provisional licence). The behavioural change educational approach developed by Driver Safety Services for keys2drive is a unique attempt to address the high risk of novice drivers during their first six months of driving solo which is a world wide phenomenon.
Learner drivers are helped to become their own instructor, supervisor, and assessor. They learn to 'talk to themselves' as these people would. In this setting learners practice safe P plate driving while still on L's.
keys2drive is designed to improve the quality and quantity of supervised learning by helping parents/supervising drivers be more effective in their driver training role and fosters the important relationship between a Learner, their supervising driver and their professional driving instructor.
key2drive encourages involvement in the program by;
- Providing one free professional lesson by an accredited driving instructor for Learner drivers accompanied by their supervisor;
- Employing an engaging and sophisticated website, rich in learning experiences and supporting information, to connect with the three main participants - beginning drivers, driving instructors, and supervisory drivers. The website communicates explicit and implicit messages through traditional means, on-line games, and Explore (a web 2.0 environment).
keys2drive accredited driving instructors undergo a voluntary accreditation scheme which involves initial training and ongoing professional development.