Holden gets young drivers on track
Greg Murphy spearheads practical education programme for young Kiwi motorists. David Linklater reports.
Holden New Zealand has launched a new road safety programme designed for young drivers.
Spokesperson Marnie Samphier says the programme has been two years in the making and is designed to address specific challenges for young drivers. ‘‘We wanted to develop a practical course that provides real-world driving experience using internationally proven methods.
‘‘Statistics tell us that fatal crashes where the driver’s contribution is significant are more likely to involve drivers under 24 years.
‘‘A lack of experience and awareness results in poor decision making on the roads and we believe this new programme can help address this area of concern.
‘‘It is sometimes assumed that young driver accidents are predominantly drug and alcohol related; this is an issue, but 60 per cent of all fatal crashes involving this age group do not feature either of these contributing factors.’’
Kiwi motorsport icon Greg Murphy has been involved in developing the programme, and will feature in the promotion and awareness-raising activities.
Road safety expert Peter Sheppard was also instrumental in devising best-practice activities to be incorporated as part of the Street Smart programme.
Sheppard is the chief executive of the Institute of Driving Educators and a driver education campaigner. He has been instrumental in prompting worldfirst driver education research and was influential in the reintroduction of driver education into secondary schools.
Sheppard has conducted crash investigation training for the road transport industry, participated in Government Select Committees on such subjects as heavy vehicle crash causation, and co-authored a wide range of road safety and workplace road safety interventions.
The day-long Holden Street Smart programme runs during school holidays in a controlled environment. Participants experience a variety of scenarios and situations as they transition through 10 practical stations in their own car, accompanied by their parent or caregiver.
Specific exercises as part of the day-long course include: head-on collision, following too close, emergency braking, peripheral vision and hazard identification.
The course will be available throughout the country, and it’s not a money-maker for the organisers: it costs just $49.