New Manitoba drivers to get free CAA memberships

On top of getting a driver’s license, people who enroll in the High School Driver Education program will also get a CAA membership.

The auto club is offering one-year memberships starting Tuesday for graduates of the program.

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“The more people who take it the more the safety is enhanced on the road ways,” Mike Mager, president of CAA Manitoba, said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The more people who take it the more the safety is enhanced on the road ways," Mike Mager, president of <a href="http://globalnews.ca/tag/caa-manitoba/">CAA Manitoba</a>, said.

The membership includes one emergency road service call with a tow of up to 160 kilometres.

“We wanted to find a way to encourage young individuals to take the driver’s education program,” Mager said. “It is an incentive to complete it.”

The program is put on through Manitoba Public Insurance. All full-time Manitoba high school students over the age of 15 1/2 can enroll in the program. It includes 34 hours of in-class instruction, 16 hours of in-vehicle instruction, and 24 hours of supervised practice driving.

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Mager expects the first round of students receiving free memberships will graduate in November.