According the 2016 Census, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over in the Bega Valley is $538, and 65.2 per cent of residents drive their car to work.

While the NRMA has discontinued its car running costs calculator, the RACQ in 2018 estimated the weekly running costs can range from $120 for a small car to $244 for a four-wheel-drive utility.

Minimal public transport in the region means many young people have no option but to own and run a car.

Road safety advocate and May’s RYDA safe driving course coordinator Eric Johnston said this week he hopes to implement a new program aimed at helping young drivers, who often struggle with the costs of maintaining a roadworthy vehicle.

The Y-drive program connects mentor drivers with disadvantaged youth to help them obtain a driver’s licence.

Mr Johnston said young people without parental care struggle to fulfill the driving requirements needed to obtain a licence.

“We’ve had meetings and there is support for the new course, but we need to get council on board, Mr Johnston said.

“It’s extremely important because you’re stranded here if you don’t have a licence.

“It’s important for people of any age, especially in rural areas because a lot of jobs require you to have a licence.”

Mr Johnston said the quality of the region’s roads “leave a great deal to be desired”, and while they play a great role in driver safety, not enough money is being invested into road maintenance in the region.

“I was recently on the roads in the Kimberley region and they are like freeways compared to down here,” he said.

“The main arteries are very important because we’re getting more and more traffic and little is being done to improve them.

“We are getting more and more trucks and caravans driving through the area each year.

“Hopefully they [governments] will look south at some point.”