Franklin Proud Hosts to First RYDA Programme

Ever thought someone should be educating young drivers about driver safety before they get behind the wheel? Teaching them about everything to do with motoring from safe stopping distances to getting insurance?


Ever thought that if only young people, in the early stages of learning to drive, could meet and talk to a vehicle crash victim maybe they would be a completely different driver? Then you need to know about the RYDA programme, coming first to Franklin!


RYDA is a Rotary initiative that targets awareness and aims to change young people’s attitudes to motoring. All year 11 students from Tuakau and Waiuku Colleges will attend the programme, held over two days at the Pukekohe Park Raceway.


The RYDA programme nationally is sponsored by Franklin businesses - New Zealand Steel and BOC. Franklin District Council has provided funding to bring the event to Franklin as part of its role in promoting road safety. Rotary clubs have also contributed and will provide support on the days of the programme. Local businesses, including Pukekohe Motors and Brian Roberts Panel Beaters, have also been very supportive.


“Young drivers 15 – 19 years old are only 7% of licensed car drivers but account for 15% of drivers involved in crashes resulting in serious injury and 14% of crashes resulting in death. By encouraging and educating young people of 15 and 16, who are just beginning to drive, we are aiming to change those statistics,” says Franklin District Council Mayor, Mark Ball.


Several different presentations throughout the day inform and even shock participants as they meet with Police, crash victims, AA Insurance, driving instructors and Care NZ drug and alcohol presenters. Students even get the chance to feel the effects of sudden braking when vehicles, driven by expert driving instructors, show just how long it takes to come to a stop at various speeds.


It isn’t just about being a driver though – the programme also focuses on being a passenger and giving young passengers a sense of empowerment so even those not interested in learning to drive yet will learn valuable information.


Following the Franklin District programme, RYDA will be gradually rolled out across New Zealand. In the coming weeks it will be delivered in North Shore, North Harbour, Whangarei and the Far North.


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