The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has implemented its program for Indigenous students seeking to practice their driving skills and gain car safety knowledge.
The ARTIE Academy Driver Licensing Program, supported by RACQ and held at the RACQ Mobility Centre, assisted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in achieving attendance, behavioural, and performance targets to complete their required 100 hours of supervised driving.
Students from Beenleigh, Marsden, and Redbank Plains State High Schools (SHS) participated in [the] driving training with a mentor around the Mobility Centre's circuit and received vehicle maintenance tips from an RACQ mechanic.
“Students learned about road safety, reaction times, how to perform safety checks on their car, and what to do if they get a flat tyre or lock their keys in the car. This was all very helpful information for the students,” said ARTIE Academy drivers licence program coordinator Georgia Clark.
Beenleigh SHS student Tim Avery deemed the training experience “fantastic” and found the road safety information about reaction times and stop times the most valuable.
“I've been learning to drive for a few months, and this day has been a really good experience,” he said. “The ARTIE Academy Drivers Licence Program has really helped me and my family, as I gain my 100 hours of driving experience. The thing I'm looking forward to about getting my licence is the freedom and the ability to help my mates and my family.”
RACQ sponsorship coordinator Jayne Williams said RACQ aims to reduce the road toll – and the ARTIE Academy Drivers Licence Program helped students become safer and more competent drivers.
“Completing 100 hours of supervised driving can sometimes be challenging for students, and this day at our Mobility Centre allowed students to practice necessary driving skills in a safe, real-world environment,” Williams said. “We're proud to support these students to get the best start when driving and wish them luck in gaining their licence.”
