keys2drive, the new national learner driver safety program, was today launched at Applecross Senior High School by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and AAA President, Ms Freda Crucitti.

With driver accreditation commencing next week and free lessons for learners set to roll out in Western Australia at the end of May 2010, the program is designed to provide significant support to parents and supervisors to guide learner drivers to make safe decisions in real life driving situations.

"It's important for us to think about safety on our roads, especially for young people.  How often do we see or hear of young, inexperienced drivers being involved in dreadful road accidents and, unfortunately, many resulting in injury and sometimes death?  The impact on surviving family and friends is devastating and traumatic and the financial cost to the community is estimated to be close to $18 billion every year," Ms Crucitti said.

"To help reduce the high crash risk of young drivers, keys2drive fosters the relationship between the learner driver and their supervisor under the guidance of a keys2drive accredited professional driving instructor, through a free lesson paid for by the Federal Government.

"The free lesson uses a 'train the trainer' model with the accredited driving instructor assisting the supervisor/parent to guide the beginner driver to learn safe driving practices. It does this through face to face practical information and instruction on how they can most effectively assist in the training of their learner drivers.  This is complemented by online information and interactive tools.

"The Australian Automobile Association and our constituent motoring clubs are delighted to be working in partnership with the Federal Government and the driver training industry to develop and implement the keys2drive program.

Ms Crucitti encouraged young people and their parents or supervisors to log on to the keys2drive website, and register for a keys2drive free lesson now.

For further Information on the keys2drive program, visit www.keys2drive.com.au