Nate makes 100 safe drivers
In March 2015, Nate Ogden-Cartwright was a year 12 student at Drouin Secondary College and applied to become a participant in the L2P program.
He drove regulalry with a supervising mentor, then this year, Nate gained an apprenticeship with Warragul Toyota. Because of work and study commitments, it was easier for Nate to undertake driving before work.
His mentor Brian Brewer obliged with 6:30am starts and Nate’s logged driving moved closer to 120 hours.
Last week, Nate passed his probationary licence test, becoming Baw Baw L2P’s 100th P plater.
Program coordinator Beth Carr has been following Nate’s driving and life progress, so was thrilled to receive the phone call once the test was completed. He had no idea how many others had gained their Ps on the program and his first reaction was “no way!”
Nate is planning to buy his first car this month and assured Beth he was continually using MIB - ”mirrors, indicator, blind spot” when pulling away from the kerb, overtaking other cars, and coming to corners or changing lanes.
Thom Dunham was the first learner to reach his Ps in February 2010. In the following six years the program has now assisted 100 young learner drivers from throughout the Baw Baw Shire region achieve success and give them opportunity to gain independence as well as far-reaching career, employment and life choices.
Baw Baw L2P has certainly evolved from its beginnings but the aim is still the same - to reduce road trauma and provide opportunity to disadvantaged Learner drivers by providing structured supervised driver practice in accordance with VicRoads requirements.
TAC provides base funding and VicRoads has been managing L2P since being established in the Baw Baw Shire in February 2009. Many local and generous businesses, companies and organisations continue to support and sponsor L2P, meaning young Learner drivers who can commit to the program are given the key to their own future.
Beth is now based at the RACV Shop in Smith Street Warragul, where prospective learner drivers can register their interest.