TeamVodafone’s Jamie Whincup supports calls by Australia’s motor sport community for compulsory driver education in schools.

In a survey of almost 2000 members of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS), an overwhelming 72% believe driver education is necessary in schools, while 82% trust it will reduce the road toll.

Defending Champion Whincup has been an avid spokesperson for road safety and believes the issue should be embedded from a young age.

“I’m a big believer that there needs to be more education on driving standards and behaviour, together with a better understanding that drivers are, in fact, behind the wheel of a lethal weapon,” Whincup admitted.

“In my opinion, making drivers better drivers is the key to fewer accidents, so there’s no denying that driver education will reduce the road toll. Young drivers need to be taught about their vehicles, alcohol consumption and the issues of distraction.

“They need to realize they hold their own lives and the lives of other in their hands and be shown the consequences of what can happen in an unfortunate situation, and how it can affect them and their family and friends.

“We are the best people to look to for an example of why we race on a race-track and not on a public road. When racing on the track, we’ve got a huge safety net with paramedics, ambulances and flag marshals on stand-by along with our roll cages and specially made race-suits,” he continued.

With the road toll reaching more than 700 this year, the #1 driver warns the initiative needs to be implemented correctly to avoid repercussions.

“The in-school instructors need to be certified and the message to young people needs to be consistent. The one thing you don’t want to do is confuse them,” Whincup stated.

Only 2% of Australian motor enthusiasts say a standardised young driver educated program should not be enforced in schools whilst one if four think it should be optional.

CAMS is requesting for the Commonwealth to introduce and fund the Ignition Program for all secondary schools in order to promote a generational attitude shift towards driving.

CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos said, “This shows the motor sport community believes past attempts to reduce road tolls have not been successful and a focus on widespread Commonwealth funded education is needed.”

“Every week young Australians are killed or injured on the roads. A standardised driver education program specifically designed for pre-learner drivers, such as CAMS Ignition Program, will not only improve driving attitudes and knowledge before they take to the roads, it will save lives,” he concluded.