High school students in Forbes on the verge of getting their license have been getting vital experience thanks to local organisations.
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Neighbourhood Central has successfully secured Commbank Foundation Centenary Grant funding to support youth in the Forbes and Parkes region.
The organisation has used the funding to partner with Forbes and Young Rotary Clubs to deliver driver simulator training for Year 10 and 11 students from Forbes, Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham, Peak Hill and Parkes schools.
The simulator is based at the Young PCYC but is increasingly being used for driver training throughout the region.
Students from Forbes High School had their driving skills tested this week on two different modules recommended by NSW Police.
Tested were the effects of distraction/texting whilst driving and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
Rotarian Di Lincoln said 2000 students have tested their skills on the simulator since Young Rotary purchased it two years ago.
Students in Year 10 and 11 are tested as they are close to getting a license.
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Rotarian Frank Lincoln said they originally came up with the idea to use the driving simulator to help show the effects of distraction, drugs and alcohol on driving with members of the PCYC.
Forbes High School Principal, Safija Bristina said she would like to acknowledge Pamela O'Connell, the Head Teacher Wellbeing/Transition for coordinating with Rotary to bring the simulator to the school.
Mrs Bristina said she would also like to thank the local members of NSW Police who came to support the students with programs such as this.
Sarah Todd, Brand Manager of Commonwealth Bank, said the Forbes and Parkes branches of the bank teamed up to provide Neighbourhood Central with the grant to help bring the simulator training to local students.
Mrs Todd said it was nice to see the program come to life at Forbes High School.
Students from Red Bend Catholic College will be able to test their skills on the simulator when it heads back to town in a couple of weeks.