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Are young New Zealand drivers getting the message?

10 Jun 2008

Download the full media release here.

Auckland – 10 June 2008 – New Zealand may be about to see a new generation of responsible drivers.  That’s the conclusion from the AA Insurance Youth Driver Poll of 1,500 year 10 students, who have either recently started or are just about to start driving.

The poll canvassed students from the Northland and Auckland regions who participated in the RYDA New Zealand Limited programme, an initiative of Rotary in New Zealand, a one-day education programme for young people about road safety.

The RYDA programme, of which AA Insurance is a sponsor, targets 15-year-old students as both drivers and passengers so that when they start driving they have received the best possible road safety education from experts such as local road safety and driving instructors, the New Zealand Police, road crash victims, drug and alcohol educators and AA Insurance.

The students were polled about who they thought should teach them to drive.  Some 70 percent believed their parents would be their main teachers.  However, some 76 percent believed that it should be compulsory for all young drivers to do a safe driving course. 
 
The message, “Don’t drink and drive” seems to be getting through to learner drivers, according to the poll.  Almost three quarters (73 percent) of the learner drivers polled by AA Insurance agreed with the zero alcohol tolerance for people driving on a restricted licence.
 
“Learning to drive and owning a car are major milestones in a young person’s life, bringing real freedom,” says Chris Curtin, CEO, AA Insurance.  “It is heartening that these poll results show that these young people appreciate the responsibilities of driving, and the message that alcohol and driving don’t mix is recognised by the teens going through the RYDA programme.”

The students’ attitudes about texting and driving also showed insight into the risks this behaviour poses.  Some 61 percent of those polled believe it is not okay to text while driving, and 55 percent believe it is not okay to talk on a mobile phone while driving.

“While this may not be a comprehensive survey, it is still a snapshot of a substantial number of new learner drivers.  And these poll results are valuable because we don’t hear directly from youth very often.”

“There will always be an irresponsible few that make the headlines.  But this poll suggests that education is key to changing attitudes and forming good habits.  This new generation of drivers are keen for education, they want to develop good driving habits and they recognise good behaviour.

Almost three quarters of those polled believe it is important to purchase car insurance.

AA Insurance is committed to helping young people get ready for the responsibilities of driving through young driver education programmes.

Key contacts

Stefanie Haydock

Position: Communications Team Leader, AA Insurance

DDI: (09) 966 8403

Mobile: 021 937 884

Email: communications|at|aainsurance|dot|co.nz

Amelia Macandrew

Position: Customer Relations Manager,
AA Insurance

DDI: (09) 966 8445

Mobile: 021 452 777

Email: communications|at|aainsurance|dot|co.nz

Allan Botica

Position: Director, Botica Butler Raudon Public Relations

DDI: (09) 303 3862

Mobile: 021 400 500

Email: allanb|at|botica|dot|co.nz