Drivers on their restricted licence are 7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than any other drivers. Data also shows that young restricted drivers are more at risk of having a serious crash in the first 6 to 12 months of driver solo than at any other time in their lives. The increased risk is partly due to driver inexperience.
Over the ten year period from 2006 - 2016 there was a total of 111 serious injury crashes involving young drivers in the Rotorua district - of these, 18 resulted in fatalities.
Driver Directions
Council offers a FREE young driver course during the school holidays each year. The day course is held at the Rotorua Kart Sport track at Off Road NZ in Mamaku. The course is a hands-on lesson with Police assistance.
Thanks to the support of Off Road NZ and Rotorua Kart Sport Development Trust the new course will be held on the Rotorua International Kartsport Raceway at Off Road New Zealand in Mamaku (193 Amoore Road).
Driver Directions is a FREE programme to strengthen novice drivers' vital skills for safe driving.
What happens on the day:
Driver Directions attendees will meet reputed driving coaches who will take them through a series of activity stations that focus on:
Parralel parking
Reversing using mirrors
Braking awareness
Urban driving experiences
Vehicle awareness - is your seat in a safe position?
Insight driving - crash avoidance and hazard detection
Vehicle maintenance
Road rules and the DRIVE smart phone app
The attendees also get an opportunity to drive the race track with a qualified driving instructor.
Criteria
- The Driver Directions programme is for young drivers who hold a Learner or Restricted Licence.
- Must provide own vehicle with current WOF and REGO.
- Must be accompanied by a parent/adult/caregiver who has held a full NZ drivers licence for at least 2 years.
Partners/Sponsors
Registration
Register by submitting the online form below.
For further information or assistance phone Rotorua Lakes Council 07 348 4199 or email roadsafety.rotorua@rotorualc.nz