Defensive driving saves time

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 230, 9 February 1988, Page 3

Defensive driving saves time

Completing a defensive driving course can cut the time to attain a driving licence under the Graduated Driver Licensing System b y half. This is the message from the Ministry of Transport and the Defensive Driving Course Manager in Taumarunui Graham Deadman. The new licensing system was introduced on 1 August in an attempt to reduce the road toll by helping younger drivers avoid risky driving situations. Research has shown that drivers aged between 15-24 years are a high risk group and account for 27 percent of all drivers involved in accidents. The three stage procedure takes two years to complete under normal circumstances. The applicant is granted a learner's licence after first passing their written and oral exams. They hold the licence for at least six months before attempting their practical driving test and if success-

ful, are issued with a restricted licence. The applicants are still subject to conditions of the learner licence which includes driving with a supervisor who has held a full car licence for at least two years; abstaining from drinking alcohol if they intend to drive; carrying their learner's licence at all times. This lengthy procedure can be substantially reduced if applicants take part in and successfully complete a Defensive Driving course. With the dissolution of the New Zealand Driving Council prior to Christmas, the MoT have taken over the service on a userpays basis. Mr Deadman, hopes to hold a 'traffic improvement course' in the Waimarino during March, if there is sufficient interest. The eight-hour course normally run over a fourday period will be held over a weekend, according to Mr Deadman, who said the course will be more

expensive due to the userpays system. A minimum of eight and a maximum of ten people are needed to hold a course in the area. If under the age of 25, applicants must have held their licence for at least six months. Mr Deadman said the course aims to change people's attitudes to driving. Although no practical driving is included in the course participants are tested thoroughly on the theory of safe driving - they sit a total of seven written modules, all of which they must pass to complete the course. Mr Deadman said he believes defensive driving should be made mandatory for people sitting passenger service licences, such as bus and taxi drivers. Further details on the course may be obtained from the Bulletin.