PCYC Queensland has joined forces with Australia Pacific LNG on a new road safety initiative for young drivers throughout Darling Downs and Surat Basin.

PCYC centres across the region will see the permanent installation of four driving simulators, with the first machine to be positioned by school students in Toowoomba, Australia.

PCYC Toowoomba manager Sergeant Cam Crisp said: "Country people are over-represented in crash statistics, and this driving simulator programme will help educate the next generation of road users and contribute to bringing the road toll down in our region."

"This driving simulator programme will help educate the next generation of road users and contribute to bringing the road toll down in our region."

Australia Pacific LNG which is based around Miles, Chinchilla and Roma, is funding the new driving simulators, which are set to benefit the whole community. The region offers changing road conditions for young people without a learner licence to help them practice.

According to Origin Social Program specialist Nick Te Tana, during the project’s early construction phase it was discovered that road safety was a critical issue for the community.

Te Tana said: "We’ve taken steps to mitigate the increased traffic created by the build of our project, and now that we’re coming to the end of that phase we want to leave a positive legacy that continues to improve road safety into the future."

PCYCs and other community organisations will use the new driver trainer simulators to deliver driver education programmes in Toowoomba, Dalby, Biloela and Roma.