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November 15, 2001 High
School Driver Education celebrates 35th anniversary But for 35 years now, young drivers in Manitoba - and their parents - have been able to rely on the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Driver Education Program to help alleviate the anxieties associated with setting out on a "new road." Celebrating its 35th year of operation, the MPI High School Driver Ed (DE) program began in 1966 as a Department of Public Works, then a Department of Highways and Transportation program. In it's inaugural year the program had about 1,500 students, 35 instructors and 27 participating high schools. MPI assumed responsibility for the program in 1987. Since then, this highly successful program that features both classroom and behind-the-wheel components, has helped put nearly 250,0000 new drivers on the road. Today, "Driver Ed" is offered in 150 high schools, with 300 instructors providing safe-driving lessons to 13,000 young drivers. And for 29 of those 35 years, Driver Ed instructor Bill Morris has been on hand to seen the program grow and flourish. It's this dedication to outstanding service and commitment to road safety which resulted in Morris being awarded an MPI 'Lifetime Achievement' award. "I really enjoy meeting former students and teaching children of former students," said Morris, who was also a school teacher for 37 years. In effort to recognize the dedication of individuals such as Morris to safe driving and to Manitoba youth, MPI has inaugurated an 'MPI Instructor of the Year' award to be given out annually. Nominations will be submitted by Driver Ed students, parents or other instructors throughout the province. "Driver's education offers youth who participate a sense of control over their lives, a sense of trust and responsibility, a sense of self-esteem and identity," says Lou Gervino, MPI's Manager of Driver Education and Improvement. "Because of the status involved in having a driver's licence, successful completion of Driver Ed can provide youth with a strong motivation to follow the laws and regulations necessary to keep it. That means safer streets and roads for all Manitobans." Parents have become a key component to the success of the program, said Gervino. Parents are provided with a 'Co-Pilot's' manual which includes step-by-step procedures for practising basic driving maneuvers and suggestions that will assist making the learning process a positive experience for novice drivers. In addition to parental involvement, Driver Ed has undergone a number of curriculum changes throughout its 35-year history and now incorporates information on ¾ dealing with road rage, driver fatigue and driving safely on gravel roads. In addition to providing safe-driving skills, enrollment in Driver Ed supports the province's new Graduated Drivers' Licence (GDL) program that was implemented earlier this year. Because enrolment in Driver Ed allows novice drivers to obtain their beginner's licence at age 15½, students enter the GDL system earlier. This, in turn, enables them to obtain more driving practice and experience within the GDL restrictions. MPI's Driver Ed program also stresses that practicing safe driving is a life-long commitment. Recently, MPI introduced an on-line safe driving quiz to its web site: www.MPI.mb.ca that enables new and experienced motorists to test their driving knowledge. More than 13,000 people have taken the test, which has a driving quiz database of almost 300 questions that have been pulled from the pages of the Manitoba Driver's Handbook. Contact:
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