Driving lessons at school can save lives

In 2014, 14 percent of people involved in fatal crashes were drivers aged over 65, compared to around 20 percent for teenage boys. Driving advocates are calling for driving lessons to be taught in all high schools to help save lives and keep young people out of prison. $86.5 million has been provided in the Budget to fund driving lessons and tests for 64,000 Kiwis. The funds have been welcomed by driver education advocates, but they say we need to be more proactive. Kathryn speaks with Driving Change Network's national co-ordinator Wendy Robertson, who wants driver training to start in school to help students achieve full licences faster. Meanwhile analysis of the Bay of Plenty and rural Waikato-based Blue Light Youth Driver Programme estimates the dollar value to society of young people being able to drive properly is $10m,contributing to the expansion of employment opportunities and earning potential, while driving legally also helps keep young people out of court. Over 30% of under 25s who end up in prison enter the justice system via driving offences. Blue Light's Youth Driver Navigator Programme's National Coordinator Ken Harema also joins.