By Tania Martin
LIONS clubs from across the region have joined forces to help combat the road death toll.
The clubs, from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Dandenong, and Casey, have been donating their hard-earned funds to a program called ‘Project – Driving Force’, which targets people between the ages of 15 and 25.
The program was initiated by the Berwick Lions Club last year and has gained support and interest from many organisations including 13 local Lions clubs, and state and federal politicians.
Berwick Lions Club president Graham Cockerell and Emerald Lions Club past president Ray Spencer have travelled more than 2500 kilometres promoting the program to Lions clubs in Victoria over the last two months.
Mr Cockerell said in the last two weeks Lions clubs across the state had pledged $4,000 in support of the program.
He said there were currently 13 clubs financially involved in the program and another 30 had expressed interest.
The aim of Project – Driving Force is to provide a free or low cost driver education for P-plate drivers, learners and pre-learner drivers.
Mr Cockerell, an RACV contractor and tow truck driver for more than 20-years, said the driving force behind his involvement in the project came after his apprentice mechanic died in a triple fatality several years ago.
“Drivers are taught how to get their licence, not how to manage the road conditions or anticipate other drivers’ behaviour,” he said.
Mr Spencer said too many lives had been lost on the roads, especially in the hills.
“If we can give young people the experience on the road to keep them alive then we have done something good,” he said.
Lions clubs have engaged the services of Murcott’s Driving Excellence for the courses, which are held at Sandown Raceway, Dandenong Highway, Carnegie.
Mr Cockerell said the courses normally cost $260 but Murcott’s has provided a $99 discount, and offered to provide one free position for every 10 funded by Lions clubs.
“Every $100 we raise for the program enables one person to do the course,” he said.
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