Council encourages parents to attend inaugural Youth Road Safety Expo

Rotorua District Council (RDC) is encouraging local teenage drivers and their parents to participate in the city’s inaugural Youth Road Safety Expo next month.

The expo for Year 10 and alternative education students will take place at the Holiday Inn on Tryon St from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 December. Parents can also attend evening workshops with their teenagers where they will learn how they can support their young drivers.

RDC road safety coordinator Jodie Lawson says the expo was created in response to the high profile road accidents and deaths involving Rotorua teens in 2010.

“The number of road crash fatalities involving local teenage drivers last year was shocking. We want to better equip young people and their parents on responsible driving, especially with the Christmas season approaching.

“Let’s see more parents getting involved so they can encourage their teens to make responsible decisions when they get behind the wheel. Attending the expo is an excellent investment in their young driver’s life.”

The DRIVE4LIVE memorial concert is also happening on Saturday 10 December at 12pm at the Southern Trust Sportsdrome to coincide with the expo.

“It will be the second time we’ve held the concert in memory of local teens that died in last year’s tragic road accidents, and sadly more teenagers have died since,” says Ms Lawson.

“It’s so important that people get it through their heads that lives will always be at risk if drivers don’t behave responsibly.”

Ms Lawson is encouraging parents to check out NZTA’s Safer Journeys for Teen Drivers online resource at www.safeteendriver.co.nz

The Youth Road Safety Expo is supported by Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Police, Fire Service, St John's, ER staff, Rescue Helicopter, Rotary and Holiday Inn.