Students driven to remain safe

REGIONAL Year 12 students have jumped at the opportunity to get behind the wheel and go back to the basics of driver safety.

Home Hill State High School’s senior students travelled to Townsville for a day of real- world experience with Advanced Driver Training, doing activities including steering and braking in real cars, changing a tyre and learning what to do if first on scene at an accident.

Year 12 student Levi Col- lins, 17, said the hands- on course was engaging.

“We’ve never got to drive like we are today, it’s a lot more involved, it’s pretty cool,” he said.

“Everyone should be aware of the basics, it’s better for everyone on the road and reduces accidents.

“Everyone looks forward to getting their licence and the more people that do ( these programs) the more people are aware of what you have to do to get your Ps.”

Advanced Driver Training director of training Colin Ugarte said the initiative was based off a program run in England.

“( It’s about) getting kids to be part of the solution, not part of the problem,” Mr Ugarte said.

He said P- plate drivers had been misrepresented in road toll statistics.

“They learn about fatigue... it hits a chord with rural drivers,” Mr Ugarte said.

Mr Ugarte said 20 to 30 per cent of road fatalities in Australia were caused by fatigue.