High-risk drivers on right track
Visits to spinal units, mock crash scenes, presentations from the Serious Crash Unit, funeral directors and parents of killed teens, are just some of the dramatic tactics having a positive effect on Counties Manukau youth on the Right Track Driver Programme.
Sergeant Marko Radojkovich, Manurewa, came up with the scheme with Senior Sergeant Mike Stopforth, to show young serious driving offenders the consequences of their risk taking.
Marko says the programme aims to speed up the maturing process of the youths and change their future attitude toward driving, and life in general.
Via Family Group Conference outcomes or other youth justice alternative action, up to 15 youth aged between 15 and 17 are chosen from throughout Counties Manukau to attend the 42 hour programme, spread over three Saturdays and four weeknights.
Parents, older siblings or caregivers are encouraged to attend the sessions – and often do – also learning valuable behavioural lessons along the way.
Marko says the programme has influence in a variety of ways – emotionally, intellectually and visually. Hard-hitting and graphic presentations from a pool of individuals and organisations help bring the message home.
Sergeant Marko Radojkovich in the classroom
with some of the Right Track youth.
Presenters include Moana Bennett who lost her son with three other youths in a South Auckland crash; Police Funeral Directors; Tamati Paul – a once successful sportsman who was the victim in a head-on crash with a drunk driver; the Otara Spinal Unit and a youth now confined to a wheel chair; and the Middlemore Hospital Trauma Unit.
Also adding impact is a highly realistic, staged crash which programme attendees’ chance upon with Police, Fire and Ambulance in attendance.
“We’re not trying to shock, we’re trying to inform,” says Marko.
“The goal is for young people, who have made bad driving choices in the past, to get to the point where they won’t do so again because they really understand the possible consequences and realities, for example death of themselves or others.
“They come to understand how precious and fragile life is and has re-awakened their enthusiasm for life.”
One of the key factors in the programme is the ongoing ability for youths to say ‘no’ to peer pressure or situations where they may be egged-on or encouraged to drive dangerously.
“The programme has to work when the pressure comes on,” says Marko.
An outdoor activity team building day contributes to this philosophy by showing there’s nothing wrong with an adrenaline rush, as long as it’s in a controlled environment.
Unexpected, but welcome benefits from the programme include closer and more open family relationships, motivation to get involved in work and education, and the forming of friendships between families from vastly different social backgrounds.
Marko says the programme is no soft touch, with youths also having to face the punitive side of their offending, such as losing their licence or completing community service.
So far this year, 60 youths have completed the programme. None have since come to Police attention for driving offences.
Another three programmes are scheduled for 2008. They will continue to be delivered by educationalists John and Helen Finch of the EDUK8 Trust who were instrumental in the development of the Right Track progamme, and with funding from ACC, Manukau City Council and Land Transport New Zealand.
The success of the programme will see it rolled out in Auckland City district next year. Other districts have also expressed interest in it.
Marko says the programme has been fantastic. “It’s been a great journey all the way through.”
Fire and medical staff free the ‘victim’ from the staged crash site. Right Track
participants often take a while to work out it’s not the real thing, such is
the realism of the scene, complete with actors and gory makeup.
