Bayfair Shopping Centre hosts safe driving exhibition
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui students are being invited to a safe driving exhibition at Bayfair Shopping Centre to test their driving skills in an important learning experience.
From Monday 3 to Friday 7 September Bayfair Shopping Centre is hosting the youdrive driving simulator, Blue Light and Farmer Autovillage as part of a five-day exhibition focused on promoting safe driving.
The youdrive driving simulator features a real steering wheel, pedals, indicators and seatbelts, giving students a realistic driving experience. The simulator is a great tool for students to learn key driving techniques without being on the road.
AMS Group is responsible for introducing the youdrive education programme, which is available as part of the NCEA education system. AMS Group managing director Kevin Wall says, “With more than four million vehicles registered for use on New Zealand roads, the development of extensive defensive driving techniques is of paramount importance for young drivers. Driving is a crucial skill and learning tools are often not given enough emphasis.”
The Bayfair Safe Driving Exhibition will also have Blue Light in-centre between 9am and 11am to demonstrate the dangers of impaired driving, and how this can significantly increase the chances of crashing. Students will be challenged to complete a sensory obstacle course, and then will be asked to complete the same course again, this time while wearing Fatal Vision glasses. The Blue Light team will also be handing out information on the effects of drinking or using drugs and then driving.
Another key element of safe driving is having a well-maintained vehicle. Farmer Autovillage, who will be at Bayfair during the exhibition, will be using a demonstration vehicle to show teens some basic maintenance checks, between 10am and 11:30am each day. Students will be shown how to change a tyre, check oil levels and generally care for a car to increase the safety and longevity of the vehicle. Farmer Autovillage will also be available to give advice and answer questions about buying a quality car.
Nina Rivett, Bayfair marketing manager, says, “We are pleased to be able to bring youdrive, Blue Light and Farmer Autovillage to Bayfair so that students can gain invaluable driving knowledge and experience.”
While at the Bayfair Safe Driving Exhibition, students who attend the youdrive simulator experience will have the chance to go in the draw to win a Getting Started Driving prize package. The Getting Started Driving prize pack includes six driving lessons from AMS Group, a copy of the New Zealand Road Code, a set of L plates, and cash reimbursement for the learner licence application and test fees.