Waikato District Council and the Waka Trust are calling for volunteers to help the youth of today to become better drivers.
A new community-based driving programme in Huntly and Ngaruawahia has been set up to help young people to gain their restricted licence.
The Community Driver Mentor Programme was established by the NZ Transport Agency to address barriers that learner drivers in the 16-24 age group may face.
The programme is designed to enable local communities to help these young learners who have already completed the learner phase of their licence independently to gain their restricted licence and improve their levels of safe driving.
It does this by providing experience in a wide range of driving situations with an experienced, licensed driving mentor and in a registered and warranted vehicle.
The Community Driver Mentor Programme will be managed by the Waikato District Council and co-ordinated by the Waka Trust.
Waka Trust’s co-ordinator Lenora McDonald said that the role of a mentor will be rewarding.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to help a young person along their path towards becoming a safe driver on our roads,” she says.
“There is bound to be such a sense of pride knowing that you have had a part to play when the young person gets their licence.”
Waikato District Council Mayor Allan Sanson endorses the project and said he would love to see local mentors get involved.
“A driving licence also plays a key role in gaining employment,” he said.
“With the Waikato district growing at the rate it is, employment opportunities are increasing and anything that can help our young people into the work force is most welcome.”
To become a mentor, a commitment of three hours a week for a period of up to 15 weeks is required.
A vehicle is provided and training and support is given to mentors.
For more information, call Lenora on 027 700 2089.
