Franklin students will be safer on our roads thanks to a RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) programme being delivered for the second year.

RYDA is a Rotary initiative that raises awareness of road safety and aims to change young people’s attitudes to motoring. All Year 11 students from Onewhero Area School, Pukekohe High School and Tuakau and Waiuku Colleges have been invited to attend the programme, held over three days at Pukekohe Park Raceway.

Students are taught their responsibilities when driving, with the overall aim of achieving a reduction in death and injury on our roads over the next generation.

Franklin District Council has organised to bring the event to Franklin as part of its role in promoting road safety. The RYDA programme nationally is sponsored by New Zealand Steel and BOC with local sponsors Brian Roberts Towing and South Auckland Motors Pukekohe. Rotary clubs in Franklin have also contributed and provide support on the days of the programme.

Several different presentations throughout the day inform and even shock participants as they meet with the Police, Serious Crash Unit, Brain Injury Association, crash victims, driving instructors and drug and alcohol presenters.

Franklin District Council Road Safety Co-ordinator Monique Haines says the RYDA programme encompasses everything a young adult needs to know about driving and the responsibilities of owning a car.

“This is a fantastic programme for students to see practical demonstrations of safe stopping distances and hazards, while also covering aspects like the effects of drugs, alcohol and fatigue on driving and real-life examples of the consequences of your actions. It offers handy advice on car ownership and maintenance, covering the requirements to keep your vehicle safe on the road, from warrants and regos to car insurance and financing.”