Mayor youth safety initiative proposed
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 00:00
Today Mayor Bob Parker outlined a proposal to keep Christchurch’s youth safer.
Mayor Bob Parker says, “I want to see every teenager in Christchurch undertake a driving awareness programme before they go for their licence.
“We must stop losing our young people to the sorts of accidents we have seen in the last few months. The common thread has been high powered motor cars and teenagers not being able to safely handle them.”
Ministry of Transport statistics reveal that 15 to 19 year old drivers make up just seven percent of licensed car drivers, yet in 2008 this group accounted for 15 percent of serious injury crashes, and 14 percent of those involved in fatal crashes.
Mayor Parker says,” I plan to consult with a wide range of people. This would include professional driving instructors and other interested parties, including organisations that have a proven track record like Rotary’s Ryda NZ Road Safety Programme for Youth.
“I am determined to do something about this issue. We can’t afford to lose our young people – they are our future.
“I would work with interested groups to deliver a comprehensive programme. It would be funded by a combination of user pays, sponsorship and grants. I would also lobby the government to ensure that this programme becomes a prerequisite for young drivers getting their licence.
“We could even create a national driving training programme in Christchurch.
“I have asked Greg Murphy if he would be prepared to support this initiative and he is keen to back it. He is an internationally known advocate for safe driving courses.
Ryda NZ chief executive, Tony Culliney says, “I fully support this initiative. We deliver a youth driver awareness programme to 15-16 year olds. In Christchurch around 2,000 students participate. I look forward to working with Bob Parker in widening and adding to this programme – we know it saves lives.”
“This initiative will ensure the safety of our youth and also make our streets safer – that is good for all of us, “says Mayor Bob Parker.
Mayor Parker says this proposal is another element in his quest to make Christchurch city streets safer.