A decade of steering young drivers from L to P

GEELONG learners’ best friend L2P has celebrated a decade of helping drivers get on the road safely.

The Transport Accident Commission-funded and VicRoadsmanaged program has trained 235 young people, who don’t have access to a supervising driver or vehicle, to make the next step in their driving career over past 10 years.

It all adds up to more than 14,000 driving lessons and more than 25,000 on the road supported through the initiative, provided free for drivers between 16 and 21.

Past and present learner drivers and mentors gathered at the waterfront yesterday to recognise the program and the volunteers who have made it all possible.

Jude Adams, who started volunteering in 2009, and Pat Quaranta, who has racked up more than 1150 hours teaching young people to drive, were both honoured for their support.

Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood thanked those who had “made a genuine difference in our community” through the program.

VicRoads director of road users and vehicle access Roger Chao said the program had saved lives “by teaching safe driving practices and deterring unlicensed driving”.