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Young
drivers hear tough testimonies
Shock tactics may be disturbing, but they are proving a winning formula
for the Hastings Blue Light Youth team.
Hastings Youth Aid Section’s Constables Sue Guy and Su Robinson organise
the intensive two-day course for young drivers who have been stopped by police
for a range of driving offences. “Its aim is to educate young drivers via
the real life experiences of other young drivers who’ve seriously injured
or killed others,” says Sue.
There is an educational aspect to the course with all participants either completing
a defensive driving certificate or sitting their learner licence at the conclusion
of the course.
During the most recent course, the first to speak to the 20 youth attending was
16-year-old ‘Jaye’ who had been drinking before he drove his car
through a red light and into the path of a truck. Two people died and three were
seriously injured. Next was the mother of one of the boys killed in the crash
who placed a photo of her dead son on the desk before speaking of how the crash
tore the family apart, and how their son was so badly injured the coffin was
screwed shut.
The group then witnessed a ‘mock crash scene’ complete with fire,
police and ambulance services cutting the dead and injured from cars.
‘
Matthew’ (who shows the scars of his horrific head injury) spoke about
how his dream of completing his final year of Massey University was shattered
after he was the victim of a drink driving crash.
Following were a local youth court Judge, and a prison officer who spoke about
prison routine and what would happen to them in jail.“We then had a crash
extraction officer from our local fire service with a graphic video of a real
life crash scene.”
The group then split into two. Those with a licence underwent the first session
of defensive driving tuition, the others were given intensive tuition on the
road code.
Day two began with debit recovery officers who spoke about financial liabilities
of vehicle crashes, consequences of bad debts and how it can effect credit ratings
and abilities to obtain credit in the future.
‘
Logan’ lost both eyes when he went through a windscreen. He spoke about
how he would give all his possessions to be able to see his wife and young child.
After a quick break the youths were greeted with a coffin and local funeral director
who talked about his experiences and the sadness of dealing with young people
dying on our roads.
“
We make no apologies for the shock tactics employed,” says Sue. “We
believe that when young people see the physical and tangible evidence of vehicle
crashes and actually see and hear from young people like themselves who have
been involved, that it actually sinks in.
Every young person who attended came out a better driver after successfully completing
a defensive driving course or passing their learner driver’s licence.
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