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Driver Directions a must for parents and their teen drivers

Friday 1 July 2011, 2:55PM

By Taupo District Council

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TAUPO

Taupō Motorsport Park will once again open its gates for the Driver Directions one-day driver training course on Tuesday 19 July, aimed at helping learner drivers to gain more experience and driving time.

Taupō Road Safety Coordinator Christine Hutchison says the Driver Directions course is designed to help teens learn important road safety and car handling skills. “They get real driving experience, including off-road and wet weather terrains, reversing, stopping distances and head-on crash avoidance exercises. Plus this time there is also a tyre change exercise and an experience being breathalysed by Taupō’s booze bus.”

Students attending the course will also receive a voucher for a one hour driving lesson with a driving instructor, thanks to the programmes major sponsor Harvey’s Real Estate. Tony Hay, Manager of Harveys Real Estate, says their new partnership with Driver Directions is a subject close to the heart of the Harveys team. “Most of us have had teenagers go through their young driving years and we know the worry and concern of a parent with their teenagers newly subjected to the hazards of driving. If we had a course like this available we would, without exception, have gone through this course with our children. This is a fantastic opportunity, it’s free, and we have no doubt whatsoever that lives will be saved because of it. At the very least it’s a terrific boost to self esteem and driving skills”.

Jeremy Ball of Taupo Nui a Tia College says parents have an important role to play in a learner driver’s success. “Your son or daughter needs lots of supervised driving practice while on a learner’s and restricted license. As promoted on the latest TV ads by New Zealand Transport Agency parents need to continue to support young drivers whilst on their restricted too, as this is the critical time when most of the crashes are happening.”

The Driver Directions course is free for anyone 15 to 19 years old, but spaces are limited. To register email chutchison@taupo.govt.nz. No driving experience is necessary, but participants must bring a suitable car and fully licensed caregiver, and need to arrive prior to 10.00am after which time the gates will be locked.

Driver Directions is a joint programme run by the New Zealand Police, Taupō District Council, NZTA, AA Driver Foundation, Taupō Motorsport Park, Taupo Nui a Tia College and Tauhara College. “We couldn’t hold these free events without the support of local businesses, so a big thanks to Harvey’s and Taupō Motorsport Park,” says Ms Hutchison.