News Release Archive

BUSINESS/CONSUMER SERVICES--TEACHERS-DRIVER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
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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.

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Contact: Chris Welner  902-424-7787

trp                    August 12, 1996 - 12:10 p.m.