VANCOUVER, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ - As part of its relentless effort to help make Canadian roads safer for everyone, Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. This pioneering driver education program is the first of its kind in Canada. It incorporates proprietary best practices and curriculum from other established Mercedes-Benz driving schools around the world with proven intensive coaching methods that are uniquely personalized to Canadian students.
The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers offers a full spectrum of driver education and training programs that delve well-beyond simply learning the basic traffic regulations and fundamental driving techniques necessary for novice drivers to obtain their licence. A proven combination of classroom, in-car, and ground-breaking online education sessions will equip new drivers with a broad scope of skills and core competencies that are crucial for safe and enjoyable motoring.
The comprehensive and holistic approach to driver education and training focuses on a significant range of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and risk factors to fully prepare students for the many demanding situations they will face behind the wheel. In addition to developing the core skills of vehicle operation, control and driving in traffic, the graduated licencing program (GLP Program), priced at a competitive price of $1290, features specific active-learning modules that highlight typical risk factors for novice drivers, including how each individual's personality and lifestyle can influence their driving and personal safety.
The program's unique and exclusive e-learning and personal risk assessment modules will provide participants a thorough understanding of risk awareness. This technologically-advanced approach, which incorporates online learning, is the first of its kind. In fact, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers is the only school to receive approval for an online training component from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).
In close collaboration with the global Driving Academy team at Mercedes-Benz in Germany, the new Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers will be operated by Vancouver-based Driving Unlimited, a long-time partner of Mercedes-Benz Canada. Driving Unlimited is well-known by customers across Canada as it also operates several other highly successful advanced driving programs including the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy and AMG Driving Academy.
The experienced team of coaches is comprised of some of the most qualified facilitators, trainers and advanced driving instructors in the industry. These accomplished professionals will ensure that every student receives the highest level of training and enjoys an experience that is truly commensurate with the brand.
The Vancouver market was selected to first launch this comprehensive new driver education and training program. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers will serve the entire Lower Mainland from Abbotsford to West Vancouver, with classroom training sessions conveniently located at four Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Vancouver (Boundary Road), Surrey, Richmond and North Vancouver. Training will also take place at the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers' offices in Pitt Meadows, BC.
"The skills required to simply get a licence do not fully prepare young drivers to meet the harsh demands of the road. Our exclusive, in-depth coaching methods were developed as a direct result of the cutting-edge research conducted through the High impact approach for Enhancing Road safety through More Effective communication Skills (HERMES) project," said Alexander J. Hobbach, Global Head of Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. "Our techniques have proven to be extremely effective in other markets around the world, and we are pleased to work with the highly-skilled team in Canada to establish the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers in Vancouver."
"Safe drivers are responsible drivers, and this sense of responsibility can be developed in the driver training process if the learner is empowered to make decisions, recognize threats and identify his or her own goals," said John Jacobsen, General Manager, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. "Our revolutionary coaching approach immediately increases the sense of responsibility within the new driver when they are in the car, while our world-class instructors and intensive quality assurance programs ensure that each student is empowered to become a safe and responsible driver."
"For more than 125 years, Mercedes-Benz has established its reputation for consistent innovation and has introduced many sophisticated safety and advanced driver assistance systems that have helped make our roads much safer," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "While these ground-breaking safety systems may have dramatically improved safety, there is still room for further improvement and they can never fully replace the importance of proper driver training."
Reuss continued: "We have come a long way, but in our fast-paced society, safe driving still remains a very important skill. Over 90% of traffic accidents are caused by human error. These staggering results demonstrate the critical need for this type of rigorous coaching for new drivers. We are extremely proud to bring this revolutionary approach to driver education and training to Vancouver, and we are confident that it will go a long way in helping prepare new drivers to face the many demands they will encounter as we strive towards our ultimate vision of accident free motoring."
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,450 people in 22 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 40 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 35,503 vehicles in 2012, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Image with caption: "As part of its relentless effort to help make Canadian roads safer for everyone, Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130326_C8454_PHOTO_EN_24837.jpg
Image with caption: "As part of its relentless effort to help make Canadian roads safer for everyone, Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130326_C8454_PHOTO_EN_24831.jpg
Image with caption: "As part of its relentless effort to help make Canadian roads safer for everyone, Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130326_C8454_PHOTO_EN_24835.jpg
Image with caption: "As part of its relentless effort to help make Canadian roads safer for everyone, Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130326_C8454_PHOTO_EN_24833.jpg
SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 [email protected]
Michael Minielly 416-847-7509 [email protected]
Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca
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