Services > Young Drivers
Young Drivers
Getting your driver licence is an exciting milestone—but with it comes responsibility. Young drivers are overrepresented in crash statistics, especially in rural areas like the Wairarapa. That’s why we’re working with local and national partners to provide support, education, and opportunities to help young people become confident, safe drivers.
Local Trends and Statistics
In the Wairarapa region (Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa districts), young drivers aged 16–24 continue to be disproportionately involved in vehicle crashes. Key trends include:
- Higher crash rates among restricted and learner drivers, especially on rural roads.
- Speed, inexperience, and distraction are common contributing factors.
- Night-time and weekend driving pose increased risks for young drivers.
Improving driver education and access to licensing support is vital to reducing these risks and keeping our roads safer for everyone.
Kaitiaki o Ara – Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD)
Kaitiaki o Ara, formerly known as SADD (Students Against Dangerous Driving), is a youth-led movement that empowers secondary school students to take action against risky driving behaviours in their communities.
Supported regionally by the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, this programme encourages students to become leaders in promoting safe driving messages among their peers through campaigns, events, and school-wide initiatives.
Wairarapa Student Leadership Highlights
Over the past decade, student leaders from the Wairarapa have achieved national recognition for their commitment to road safety:
Students have been selected to represent the region at national SADD Leadership Conferences, where they’ve helped shape youth road safety initiatives.
In the News:
- [Wairarapa Times-Age: Students take lead in road safety](https://times-age.co.nz/students-take-lead-in-road-safety/)
- [Stuff: Makoura College students campaign against dangerous driving](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/127321456/makoura-college-students-campaign-against-dangerous-driving)
- [SADD NZ: Wairarapa College wins regional road safety challenge](https://sadd.org.nz/news/wairarapa-college-road-safety-challenge)
Acknowledging Leadership
Much of the success of youth road safety in Wairarapa comes down to how we build up our Rangitahi. We aim to support all students who join by:
- Supporting and mentoring student leaders
- Coordinating local and regional youth safety events
- Advocating for youth voice in national road safety policy
- Partnering with schools and community organisations to remove barriers to driver licensing
Get Involved
Whether you're a student wanting to join a Kaitiaki o Ara group, a teacher interested in starting a programme at your school, or a community member keen to support young drivers, we’d love to hear from you. Email rsc@wairsc.org.nz | (06) 377 1379 or visit the National SADD website
https://www.sadd.org.nz
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Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) & Drive Coach
For over 10 years, the Wairarapa Road Safety Council has proudly supported the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme—an evidence-based road safety education initiative delivered by Road Safety Education Ltd. RYDA is a full-day workshop designed specifically for Year 12 students and held annually across the Wairarapa.
The programme empowers young people to make safer choices both as drivers and passengers. It is not about teaching students how to drive, but how to think critically about road safety and develop strategies to manage risk.
The 6 RYDA Workshops
1. Speed & Stopping - Students observe a live demonstration of stopping distances at different speeds and learn how reaction time and road conditions impact outcomes.
2. Drive SOS (Strategies On Safe driving) - This session explores key decision-making tools and practical strategies to help students manage distractions, peer pressure, and risky situations.
3. Crash Investigators - Using real crash data, students work in small groups to investigate the causes of a crash and identify what could have been done differently.
4. The 'I' in Drive - A personal development workshop that encourages students to reflect on their values, personality, and the influence they have on their own safety and that of others.
5. Road Choices - A powerful presentation by a crash survivor or emergency services representative, sharing real-life consequences of unsafe driving decisions.
6. Mind Matters - This workshop focuses on the impact of mental health, fatigue, and emotional wellbeing on driving behaviour and decision-making.
Drive Coach – For Parents and Caregivers
Drive Coach is a free online companion programme designed for parents and caregivers. It provides practical tools and guidance to help support young drivers through the learner and restricted stages. Topics include:
- How to give effective feedback during practice drives
- Building confidence behind the wheel
- Setting expectations and boundaries
- Understanding the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS)
Learn more and access free tools: [rse.org.au](https://rse.org.au/)
Ongoing Support for Schools, Parents & Students
RYDA isn’t just a one-day event. Road Safety Education Ltd offers ongoing access to digital resources, including:
- Interactive activities and videos for classroom and home use
- Lesson plans for teachers
- Conversation starters and tip sheets for parents
- Refresher materials for students
These resources ensure that road safety education continues beyond the workshop and supports long-term behavioural change.
What People Are Saying
"The RYDA programme was an eye-opener. It made me realise how serious driving is and how quickly things can go wrong." – Year 12 Student, Kuranui College
"As a parent, I found the Drive Coach resources incredibly helpful. It gave me more confidence to guide my daughter through her restricted licence." - Parent, Masterton
"The real-life stories shared at RYDA really hit home. It’s not just about rules—it’s about responsibility." – Student, Makoura College
"We’ve seen a real shift in how our students talk about driving after attending RYDA. It’s an invaluable programme." – Teacher, Wairarapa College
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Wairarapa Community Driver Mentor Programme
The Wairarapa Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) was launched in 2018 as a direct outcome of the Mayoral Taskforce for Jobs—an initiative focused on improving youth employment outcomes across the region. Recognising that many young people face significant barriers to obtaining their driver licence, the programme was created to help bridge that gap and support safer, more confident drivers in our community.
Not all young people have access to a car or a fully licensed driver to help them gain the experience needed to progress through the Graduated Driver Licensing System. This programme pairs learner drivers with trained volunteer mentors and provides access to a dual-control vehicle for supervised driving practice.
The goal is not only to help students get their restricted licence but also to build confidence, independence, and road safety awareness, improving their chances of employment and further education.
Participating Schools and Youth Services
We are proud to work closely with a range of secondary schools and youth-focused organisations across the Wairarapa:
- Chanel College
- Makoura College
- Wairarapa College
- Puawananga-Wairarapa Young Parents
- Kuranui College
- Te Kura Kaupapa M?ori o Wairarapa
- Wairarapa Safer Community Trust – Youth Services
Eligibility Criteria for Students
Students are referred into the programme through their school or youth service based on the following criteria:
1. Facing hardship – including financial or housing deprivation
2. Limited or no access to a safe, legal vehicle and unable to regularly practice driving
3. No access to a qualified driving mentor (i.e. someone with a full NZ licence for at least 2 years)
4. Held a learner licence for an extended period and are preparing to leave school or require a licence for employment opportunities
Our Impact
- We currently have 40 dedicated volunteer mentors who generously give their time and knowledge
- Since the programme began, we’ve proudly supported over 450 students in gaining their restricted driver licence
This programme is about more than just driving—it’s about removing barriers, empowering rangatahi, and creating safer roads and stronger futures for our young people.
Get Involved or Learn More
If you’re a student, parent, school representative, or community member interested in the programme—either as a participant or volunteer—please get in touch:
rsc@wairsc.org.nz | (06) 377 1379
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REAP Wairarapa Driver Licence Courses
REAP Wairarapa offers a range of driver licence courses to help young people progress through the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS). Courses are available for:
- Learner Licence preparation
- Restricted Licence practice
- Defensive driving and theory support
These courses are practical, affordable, and designed for learners who may need extra support.
Visit: REAP Wairarapa Driver Education
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Wairarapa Youth Road Safety Symposium
Held annually, the Wairarapa Youth Road Safety Symposium brings together students, educators, and road safety professionals for a day of interactive learning and real-world insights. The symposium features:
- Discussions on local road safety issues
- Guest speakers with lived experience
- Workshops on resilience, responsibility, and road safety strategies
It’s a powerful way to engage young people in conversations that save lives.
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DRIVE Website – Learn, Practise, Pass
DRIVE is a free online learning platform developed by NZTA and ACC. It’s designed to help young people prepare for their learner and restricted licence tests with:
- Practice quizzes and videos
- Driving skills tutorials
- Logbook tools to track supervised driving hours
Start your journey: https://www.drive.govt.nz
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NZ Transport Agency Education Resources
NZTA provides a wide range of education resources to support safe driving at every stage. These include:
- Road code guides and apps
- Teaching resources for schools
- Videos and print materials for young drivers and their families
Explore resources: [NZTA Education Portal](https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/education-and-research/education-resources/)
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Need Help or Have Questions?
We’re here to support young drivers in the Wairarapa. Whether you’re just starting out or helping someone else on their journey, we can point you in the right direction.
Call us on (06) 377 1379
Email: rsc@wairsc.org.nz
New Resource Helps Rangatahi and Whanau Plan for Safe Summer Travel
MEDIA RELEASE
Title: New Resource Helps Rangatahi and Whanau Plan for Safe Summer Travel
The Wairarapa Road Safety Council has released a new resource to help rangatahi and their whanau have calm, practical conversations about avoiding impaired driving and making safer decisions on the road this summer.
Wairarapa Road Safety Council Projects Coordinator Holly Hullena says the most common risks facing young people aren’t usually about driving skills, but the decisions they make under pressure.
“Young people are often great at the technical skills of driving — but their decision-making brain is still developing. That makes them more vulnerable to pressure, distraction and split-second choices. The biggest mistakes we see aren’t usually about driving ability, they’re about planning and judgement.”
One of the most dangerous patterns seen across Wairarapa is young people getting into cars with drivers who’ve been drinking or using drugs — often because they don’t want to “make a fuss” or they have no safe alternative.
“Most serious incidents start with that one decision,” Hullena says.
She notes that breaching licence conditions is another major issue.
Driving at night on a restricted licence, carrying passengers, or driving too soon after gaining a new licence significantlyincreases crash risk.
“Those rules exist because the data is clear: new drivers are much less safe when they’re tired, unsupervised or carrying friends.”
A resource designed to make safety easy
The new resource encourages whanau to talk early, plan together and practise simple safety strategies before summer events.
“This resource is designed to make safety easy and to help families have calm, practical conversations. It’s not about scaring young people — it’s about giving them real strategies they can use in the moment.”
It includes ten practical tips students can share with their whanau, including making a shared rule not to get into a car with an impaired driver, agreeing on a no-questions-asked pick-up plan, carrying an emergency fund, creating exit scripts, and setting up rural transport alternatives.
Schools are encouraged to use the materials in newsletters, assemblies and wellbeing sessions, while wh?nau are encouraged to sit down together and make a personalised safety plan.
“If every student goes into summer with a no-questions-asked pick-up person, an emergency transport plan and a few phrases they can use to say no to a dangerous ride, we’ll prevent harm. Planning is the most powerful safety tool we have.”
A clear message to rangatahi this summer
Hullena’s advice to young people is simple:
“Make the safe choice the easy choice — have your plan sorted before you go out.”
She says if a driver has been drinking or using drugs, the decision must be immediate and firm:
“Don’t get in the car. You’re not being dramatic — you’re protecting your life and the lives of the people who care about you.”
Whanau, she says, will always prefer a late-night call over a tragedy.
“Your wh?nau would rather pick you up at 2am than get a phone call saying something’s gone wrong. There are no lectures, no judgement — just get home safe.”
Pull quotes available for media use
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“Most risky decisions happen before the car even moves — planning is everything.”
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“A simple family plan can be the difference between getting home safely and facing lifelong consequences.”
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“We want rangatahi to have fun this summer — we just want them to get home alive.”
The full resource is now available for download below:
SADD Student Strives for change
Former Chanel College student James Graham set a task that drove him to excellence. Highlighting a really big issue on our roads and as a SADD National leader, felt he had a part to play in designing change. Read the full case-study here on the Waka Kotahi education portal