The L2P Driver

Inside this issue

Drink and drug driving 2

Sharing the road with

pedestrians 3

Program sponsors 4

Did you know?

TAC are aiming to reduce

the road toll to zero. You can

be part of the solution - drive

safely TOWARDS ZERO.

Newsletter - Autumn 2018

New program, sponsor for L2P July was a huge month for the L2P Program, with a new pilot program starting in Robinvale.

Thanks to an initiative from the Robinvale College Clontarf Foundation, learner drivers in Robinvale will now have access to the program one day a fortnight.

L2P Program Officer Ross Palmer said he was thrilled to extend the program to Robinvale residents.

“We were contacted by the Clontarf Program, who recognised there was a need a need to offer the program to learner drivers in Robinavle.

“So we now have Leon Johnson and Travis Bussell from the Clontarf Foundation, along with Council’s Youth Support Officer Nellie Patterson as mentors for the program.

“And with their help, locals who face barriers to accessing supervised driving will have assistance to gain

the hours they need to get their probationary license.”

In addition to the Robinvale program, L2P also welcomed a new major sponsor last month.

“We’ve just had Swan Hill and Kerang Toyota come onboard as our new major sponsor and they’ve generously donated the use of a Toyota Yaris for our learner drivers to practice in.

“We’re extremely grateful that they see the benefit our program is to our community, as without support from local organisations, our program couldn’t continue to operate.”

“This year we’ve already had eight drivers gain their probationary license who wouldn’t have been in the position to do so without the assistance of the program. So it really drives home just how important this program is to our local residents.”

Drink and drug driving offence changes

Drink and drug driving are significant causes of road trauma in Victoria.

In the last five years, 19 per cent of drivers killed on our roads were affected by alcohol, while 41 per cent had illicit substances in their systems.

In May 2016, the Premier launched Towards Zero 2016 // 2020, which commits to a 20 per cent reduction in road deaths (to 200 or fewer annually), and a 15 per cent reduction in serious injuries by 2020. In December 2017, Parliament passed new drink and drug driving legislation to help the government achieve this target.

L and P plate drivers

Drink driving As of 30 April, any L and P plate drivers caught drink driving above 0.01 will receive a fine, lose their licence/learner permit for at least three months, be required to complete a Behaviour Change Program and have an alcohol interlock fitted to their car for a minimum of six months.

Drug driving As of 30 April, L and P plate drivers will incur a fine, six month suspension for a TIN or six month cancellation if they go to court. They will also be need to complete a behaviour change program.

Fully licensed drivers

Anyone with a full driver licence who has a first offence Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reading of 0.05 or over will incur the following:

A fine

Licence cancellation and disqualification, for at least three months

Mandatory alcohol interlock upon relicensing for at least six months, for drivers eligible for relicensing

The changes also apply to commercial drivers with a first offence BAC reading under 0.05

All drink-drivers at any level will need to complete a new Behaviour Change Program that replaces the existing Drink Driver Education program and alcohol assessments currently required of some drink-drivers.

.

If you are interested in supporting our learner drivers, contact Program Officer Ross Palmer

on 0427 182 241.

Drivers and sharing the road Tips about how drivers and other road users can share the

road safely.

Pay particular attention when turning right. Drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing the road they are turning into, as well as oncoming traffic (including bike riders) when turning right. Drivers must give way to pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing, and must not overtake another vehicle which has stopped at a pedestrian crossing.

When approaching a pedestrian

crossing, drive at a speed that lets you stop safely.

At roundabouts be aware of

pedestrians needing to cross, slow down and give them the space and time they need.

When entering or leaving a

driveway, you must give way to pedestrians and bicycles on any footpath, path or nature strip you cross.

In a shared zone, you must give

way to pedestrians

You must give way to any

pedestrian at or near the stop sign or line. This includes pedestrians as well as bicycles crossing in front of you.

Victoria’s L2P Program is funded by:

Are you interested in becoming a Swan Hill L2P sponsor?

Your business will be recognised as a sponsor with advertising on the L2P car and in this L2P Driver newsletter. Contact Ross Palmer on 0427 182 241 for details.

The program also could not continue to operate without the help from the following local sponsors:

P Plate successes Congratulations to the following learner drivers (and their mentors) who have experienced the fantastic achievement of obtaining a probationary licence in the last three months:

Learner driver Mentor/s Achieved

Sharmaine Sabado John Brookshaw Mar 18

Georgina Johnson Lateesha Jeffrey, Ross Palmer June 18