An innovative road safety initiative will be available to young Southland drivers for the first time next month.

Road Safety Southland has secured Street Smart, a world-class, cognitive based driver programme that aims to positively influence the lives of young kiwis across the country.

“This is such an awesome programme that equips young Southlanders with the tools needed to help be a safer and more aware driver on our roads. And ultimately that’s something which everyone reaps the benefits from,” Road Safety Southland road user safety advisor Maureen Deuchrass said.

“We are really excited to have the opportunity to host this here in Southland.”

Limited to 30 places each day, the one-day programme will be staged at Teretonga on July 18 and 19. Registrations can be completed via the Street Smart website - www.streetsmart.nz

Developed with the involvement of world-renowned road safety expert Peter Sheppard, Street Smart is endorsed by New Zealand motor racing legend and passionate road safety advocate Greg Murphy as ambassador.

“This provides a natural training progression for those that have their licence and need something positive to continue on with to further develop their skills,” Deuchrass said.

“It’s such a practical course with really tangible benefits for our young drivers.”

Offering a hands-on learning experience, the Street Smart event provides young drivers and their parents or caregivers the opportunity to undertake supervised driving practice. There is a focus on developing good decision-making strategies for safe driving, including assessing themselves, reading the road environment, resisting peer pressure, managing or eliminating distractions and planning ahead. 

“What’s cool about this is the ripple effect. It’s intergenerational and often the adults accompanying them learn as much as the kids do,” Deuchrass said. 

Street Smart takes place in safe, controlled, off-the-road environments, under the watchful eye of qualified coaches plus the parent/caregiver. This provides the parent the opportunity to also assess themselves, in order to be a better coach and mentor to their teen.