AIMIDALE’S Traffic Education Centre could be used regularly again for the training and education of the region’s motorists.
The once state-of-the-art facility has been under-utilised for the past decade, according to Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall.
But there is renewed hope that the centre can be given a new life, as part of an initiative to reduce the annual carnage of young drivers in NSW.
Mr Marshall said a meeting with local driver education advocate Dr Brian Connor and an announcement last Monday from Roads Minister Duncan Gay had provided the catalyst for a renewed push to reopen the centre.
“Despite the best efforts of schools and parents there are just too many road deaths and dreadful injuries incurred each year through the inexperience of young people at the wheel,” Mr Marshall said.
“Further driver education will give young drivers a much better perspective but facilities like the Traffic Education Centre here in Armidale can provide them with the specific experience they need of driving in difficult conditions.”
Mr Marshall said that Monday’s announcement from Roads Minister Duncan Gay provided a good opportunity to breathe new life into the once heavily-utilised centre.
“There are now incentives for learner drivers to enrol in and complete new Safer Drivers Courses, which involve a significant practical component with training from accredited professionals,” he said.
“With the huge potential the centre has to train more young drivers from regional areas, I’d like to see the facility fully utilised and the new driving courses delivered right here in Armidale. It makes no sense to allow the valuable infrastructure at the centre to languish.
“I have written to the minister making him aware of the centre and its potential to be given a new lease of life and be used to train young drivers throughout the entire New England area.
“The Traffic Education Centre is under-utilised at present but could be upgraded at minimum expense to once again be one of the premier driver training facilities in the State.”
Mr Marshall was joined by Dr Connor on a tour of the centre, which includes a large two-hectare reinforced concrete skid pad and a 1.3km highway circuit, among other features.
Dr Connor said he appreciated Mr Marshall’s keen interest and support for reviving the centre and hoped it could once again play a major role in educating local young drivers.
“Road trauma is such a major issue in rural areas and using this facility, even in some modified way, would go a long way to reducing injuries on our roads,” he said.
