Young driver safety in the spotlight

Young and learner drivers in the Moreton Bay Region should be given greater access to road safety and training programs, Moreton Bay Region Councillor Cath Tonks says.

Cr Tonks (Div 9) has asked Council to consider funding programs to ensure as many young people have access as possible.

Speaking at the last council meeting of the year, Cr Tonks said giving more young people access to driver training programs would send a powerful message to the community about Council’s commitment to road safety.

Practical contribution

In the wake of the tragic death of 17-year-old Bray Park student Alyssa Postle after a car accident in August, Cr Tonks says a financial contribution is “a practical way for Council to show how much we care about the safety of our young learner drivers”.

“As a mum of young drivers, I think every parent’s stomach churns when their kids start to drive, and they know the fear that comes with letting them into cars with their friends for the first time,” Cr Tonks says.

“Beautiful Alyssa’s tragic death sent shockwaves through our community, and having known Alyssa and her family for many years, I have personally been witness to the loss and the incredible heartbreak her family is now experiencing.”

Preparing young drivers

Cr Tonks says she recently met with Alyssa’s parents, Kellie and Troy, and they were keen to see more driver awareness and protection for young people.

“I don’t want to be the kind of person who says ‘one death is one too many’, I want us to think about how we can help young people to be safer on our roads, especially when they’re learning to drive and newly licenced.

“There are a range of programs that high school students in Year 11 or 12 can be involved in such as the RACQ Road Safety Docudrama and the RYDA Program run through Rotary Clubs.

“I think we could even look at hosting these at facilities in our region like Lakeside.”

Councillors voted to discuss the possibility of funding to improve and encourage access to road safety and driver training programs for young and learner drivers within the region at a briefing session in the new year.

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