News Release Archive
BUSINESS/CONSUMER SERVICES--TEACHERS-DRIVER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING ----------------------------------------------------------------- Some Nova Scotia teachers are heading back to the classroom this week -- but they are learning, not teaching. Seventeen high-school teachers from across the province have gathered in Halifax for a five-day driver instructor training course conducted by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on behalf of Canadian Automobile Association (Maritimes). "A well-trained instructor will teach new drivers the proper way to do things right from start," said Business and Consumer Services Minister Sandy Jolly. "We teach the proper techniques and habits necessary to create safe drivers." High-school teachers must successfully complete this course before they become driver education instructors. In-car instruction is complemented by 10 hours of classroom teaching on topics ranging from new vehicle technology to the effects of alcohol on drivers. "Most of all, we want our instructors to instill proper attitudes in young drivers," said Ms. Jolly. "If instructors can get their students to approach driving with the right degree of respect and responsibility, they are well on the road to creating safe motorists." Although driver instructor training has been offered in Nova Scotia for five decades, this is the first year for a public-private partnership. CAA Maritimes is coordinating the Department of Education driver education programs in the schools as well as the instructor training courses. The Registry of Motor Vehicles, which used to fulfil this administrative role, is assisting CAA in this transition year. -30- Contact: Chris Welner 902-424-7787 trp August 12, 1996 - 12:10 p.m.