infonews.co.nz
INDEX
MOTORING

Free driver training course helps teen drivers

Monday 28 November 2011, 4:24PM

By Taupo District Council

432 views

Driver Directions course.
Driver Directions course. Credit: Taupo District Council

TAUPO

Taupō Motorsport Park will once again open its gates for the Driver Directions one-day driver training course on Wednesday 14 December to help 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 go into the draw to receive one of 10 vouchers for a one hour driving lesson with a driving instructor, thanks to the programme’s major sponsor, Harcourts Real Estate. Tony Hay, Manager of Harcourts Real Estate, says their new partnership with Driver Directions is a subject close to the heart of the Harcourts 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,” says Mr Hay.

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 a lot of supervised driving practice while on a learner’s or restricted license. As promoted on the TV ads, 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 Jeremy.ball@taupocollege.ac.nz . No driving experience is necessary, but participants must bring a suitable car and fully licensed caregiver and need to arrive prior to 9.30am 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, Taupo 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 Harcourts and Taupo Motorsport Park,” says Ms Hutchison.