From Wednesday, 22 November, Canberrans learning to drive can obtain basic lifesaving first aid skills and claim five hours credit against their required driving hours through a new learner driver first aid program.
“These changes to our learner driver scheme will allow students to complete first aid training designed to assist people if they’re involved in, or come across, a motor vehicle crash,” Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport, said.
“The first people on the scene of a collision are often other drivers, so ensuring more drivers have a basic understanding of first aid could make a big difference to those involved in the crash. The program won’t just provide the skills that could save a life, it is a reminder to the next generation of drivers of the serious consequences that crashes have on our roads.
“To be eligible for the five credit hours under the new program, you must have held your learner licence for at least three months before completing any one of the approved courses.”
From Wednesday, there will be eight approved courses available, delivered either online, face-to-face, or a combination of both.
The time commitment and cost requirements for each course vary depending on the type and depth of content delivered.
Mr Steel said the new learner driver first aid program builds on competency training for learner drivers to make sure people better understand safety on the road.
This new program joins two other road safety education opportunities available for driving hours credit:
• Vulnerable Road User Program offers a 10-hour credit for completing the course
• Safer Driver Course provides learner drivers aged under 25 with 20 hours credit towards their required driving hours.
“Together, these programs provide young learner drivers under 25 years with up to 35 hours credit towards the 100 mandatory hours and provide them with skills that could potentially save lives,” Mr Steel said.
Learner driver first aid courses completed before the program begins, or with a provider that is not on the approved list, will not be eligible for the logbook credit.
“St John Ambulance ACT commends the government on their initiative to promote driver first aid specially aimed at learner drivers,” Val Dempsey, Senior Australian of the Year, said.
“This initiative through St John Ambulance ACT is supporting learner drivers in developing first aid skills, so they may be prepared to step forward with capabilities, competencies, and knowledge, to save a life in the event of an emergency, particularly in road safety.”
For more information, visit www.act.gov.au/roadsafety.
