Crash Bash featured at assembly this week. Their theme this year is about the risk factors young drivers face as inexperienced drivers.

The point was made that young drivers are over represented in road crashes. Drivers aged 15-24 are 16% of the driving population, but are involved in one third of fatal crashes, and significantly if a young person is involved in a crash, they are at fault 80% of the time.

379 people died in New Zealand in 2017, and already there have been over 80 fatalities on our roads this year.

The main risk factors for young drivers aged 16-24 are:

Restricted licence conditions:

• Only between the hours or 5am and 10 pm can you drive on your own.
  
• Between the hours of 10pm – 5am you must have a supervisor with you who has held their licence for two years.
  
• No passengers! Unless they are:
  
  • your spouse or partner (for example the person you live with as if you’re married or in a civil union)
  • a child who is financially dependent on you or your spouse (for example you’re their parent or guardian)
  • your parent or guardian
  • relatives that live with you and are on a social security benefit
  • someone you look after as their primary caregiver.

See https://nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/licences-by-vehicle-type/cars/restricted-licence-2/restricted-licence-conditions/ for further information.

Seat belts: Always wear your seat belt. In the last 5 years 300 people who died in New Zealand crashes were not wearing their seat belts. An air bag can travel at 320kmph. Your seat belt and air bags are designed to work together. If you are not wearing your seat belt that air bag will hit you!

Loss of control – usually related to cornering and speed. Your speed approaching corners determines the outcome – slow your speed when approaching corners. Follow the advisory signs. Pushing the boundaries will result in you crossing the centre line as you come out of the corner,

Cell phones – reading a text can take 4 seconds. By then you have travelled the equivalent length of a rugby field! "Keeping your eyes on the road, driving phone free, setting 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers focused on the road! Having your cell phone on your lap or holding it top speak on speaker phone is still not legal! Make your calls or check your phone before you drive. The fine for using a cell phone is $80 and 20 demerit points.

Intersections: Yellow lights –The yellow is not there for you to speed up, rather it’s there for you to prepare to stop if you can do so safely. Don’t feel pressured to run the yellow.

Following Distances: Use the 2 second rule – choose a marker point on the side of the road to guide you.

The PTA Ball

Our hard working PTA are in the middle of organising the Summer Ball which is on April the 7th. The event last year was a roaring success, so spread the word among your friends and other parents and come along. This is a great community night that also raises funds for the College, for the benefit of the boys.

Until Next time

Justin Boyle