The Jamaica Automobile Association has launched its Teen Drive Programme for children between the ages of 15-17 as part of efforts to improve driver education while promoting road safety in Jamaica.
Launched in March, the Teen Drive Programme is offered on Saturdays at the JAA’s Driving Academy at 7 Central Avenue in Swallowfield, St Andrew. Students who enroll in the course are taken through a virtual driving session while receiving instructions on road safety and basic knowledge of motor vehicles.
“We started the Teen Drive Programme to assist 15-17-year-old students by giving the requisite knowledge they will need to go on the road. A part of this involves teaching them about the Road Code and impressing upon them the need to be road safety advocates,” stated James Taylor, manager, JAA Driving Academy. “The aim is to guide them and instill correct driving practices before they begin driving on the road to reduce some of the unsafe driving habits that we see taking place daily.”
In addition to a classroom setting which is used to deliver lessons about the road code, students are also taken through the inner workings of a motor vehicle and general maintenance.
“We teach them how to change a tyre, how to check tyre pressure, how to check oils/fluids, add windscreen washer and other basic maintenance when it comes to a motor vehicle,” affirmed Danielle Mattis, supervisor, JAA Driving Academy and member retention agent. “We believe that this is important in helping them to know how a motor vehicle operates and what it needs to maintain efficiency.”
Miss Mattis said that after learning about the Road Code and the mechanics of the motor vehicle, the students are then given lessons on the motor club’s state-of-the-art driving simulator.
“The driving simulator has been proven globally to help persons with their driving. The students who enrol in the Teen Drive Programme are given lessons on the simulator so they can become familiar with what it is like to drive a car. It also helps to correct any potential issues weaknesses or challenges they may have before they go on the road,” she explained.
Students who participate in, and successfully complete the course receive a certificate and JAA benefits.
“In addition to the certificate, what we say is when you are a member of the Teen Drive initiative, you will receive a discount when you are ready to sign up for our Learner Driver Programme. They will also be a part of our Teen Driver Club which is being revived,” explained Odain Cameron, Sales Support Officer, JAA.
Mr Taylor adds that there are plans to take the initiative to schools in the future.
“We will be reaching out to schools across the island in the upcoming months to get them to partner with us in terms of giving their students access to driving lessons,” he revealed. “We believe that an initiative like this can improve driving behaviour on our roads and we will be engaging with high schools across the country to get students involved in learning the correct rules of the road and learning to drive from early.”
