Australian Red Cross is launching a Learner Driver program in Mount Druitt, NSW aimed at increasing driver licensing and reducing the number of First Nations people in contact with the justice system for driver license related offences. The program is being run in partnership with NRMA Insurance, Just Reinvest NSW, Revenue NSW, Births Deaths and Marriages and Kimberwalli.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face significant barriers to getting a driver license, including access to registered vehicles and licensed drivers to supervise learners, difficulty in obtaining identity documents such as birth certificates, financial constraints and language and literacy issues
These issues can be compounded by ‘transport disadvantage’ where people live without access to adequate public transport, and in turn resort to driving unlicensed, which can lead to fines, and even imprisonment.
“The program matches up participants with dedicated Red Cross volunteers who support them to get their license. Our volunteers will work with people to get their driving hours up, learn the road rules, and practice and sit for their driving tests,” says Judy Harper, Regional Manager at Australian Red Cross.
“Getting a license may seem like a small thing, but the flow-on effects for individuals and communities are enormous. When people get their license, families become mobile, employment and education opportunities open up, and people become role models and even supervising drivers for others wanting to get their license in the community.”
In 2018, the Australian Law Reform Commission noted that the circumstances of some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people equated to “an endemic lack of licensing access for Aboriginal people” and reported that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people constituted 33% of all prisoners imprisoned with traffic and vehicle regulatory offences nationally.
Australian Red Cross has been operating Learner Driver programs for First Nations people across the Shoalhaven and Wagga Wagga regions since 2014 and more recently in Narooma. Since the program’s inception more than 550 driver licenses have been gained. Just Reinvest NSW has also partnered with the Bourke community to run a Learner Driver Program which saw a 72% reduction in people under 25 years proceeded against for driving without a licence between 2015 and 2017.
“Sixty percent of Red Cross’ participants who got a P1 license gained new, additional or secure employment. People have also been able to reduce outstanding fines and many have told us their new license has meant they and their families have been able to access community and essential services and support,” says Ms Harper.
Vision and interview opportunities will be available from 2:30pm – 4pm with community member and local Dharug woman Danielle Robertson and Red Cross Regional Manager Judy Harper. Representatives from Just Reinvest NSW, NRMA Insurance, Revenue NSW, and Births Deaths and Marriages will also be present.
The Learner Driver Mentor Program and Community Assistance launch event will take place on Thursday 16 December from 2:30pm – 6pm at Holy Family Parish, 252 Luxford Road, Emerton NSW 2770.
