Driving kit developed for international students

A new road safety information pack for Christchurch individuals and agencies hosting international students has just been launched.

The information pack was developed by NZ Police, Land Transport New Zealand, Education Christchurch, Students Against Driving Drunk, home-stay providers and Christchurch City Council.

The project was initiated because members of the Christchurch Road Safety Community often receive calls from home-stay providers wanting advice about driving and road safety for their charges says Canterbury District Road Policing Manager Inspector Derek Erasmus.

"There is actually a lot of information out there about driving in New Zealand such as brochures, books, and websites which are often available in a number of different languages. However, until now there has been no central point in Canterbury from where these resources could be accessed," says Derek.

The information pack contains hard copy information as well as a directory of websites about driving, driver licences and owning cars in New Zealand, in a variety of Asian languages and English.

"The packs are very clearly aimed at those providing care and education, to enable them to provide information and advice to the international students in their care."

Derek says two strategies drove the work. One is the NZ Police Ethnic Responsiveness Strategy goal of reducing road trauma in various ethnic groups, and the other is an action in the Christchurch Road Safety Strategy requiring various agencies to implement driver licensing strategies in the community.

"I believe this is a very valuable initiative and will go some way to improving knowledge about driving in New Zealand in Christchurch's international student community," says Derek.