Youth Road Safety Expo for teens and parents


ROTORUA 02.11.12: Rotorua District Council (RDC) is encouraging local teenage drivers and their parents to participate in the city’s Youth Road Safety Expo this month.

The expo will take place at the Holiday Inn on Tryon St from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 November, and schools and alternative education providers are organising student attendance.

Parents can also attend evening workshops on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 November from 7pm to 9pm with their teenagers where they will learn how they can support their young drivers.

RDC road safety coordinator Jodie Lawson says the inaugural expo was created last year in response to high profile road accidents and deaths involving Rotorua teens in 2010.

“The expo last year had a very impacting and profound effect on the young people. They arrived quite noisy and boisterous but they quickly became subdued and respectful as they walked past boards in memory of our youth who’ve died on our roads.

“It’s so real. Our guest speakers are talking from personal experiences about unnecessary tragedies involving young drivers. It really struck a chord with our audience.

“This is a community event and we’ve got lots of stakeholders contributing. We really appreciate our local services who have released staff during the week so they can come and speak to parents and students.”

Ms Lawson says the parent evening will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ to give parents the opportunity to come along with their young drivers and have questions answered by the experts about how to support these young people when they take to the roads.

“We want to better equip our younger citizens and their parents for responsible driving, especially with the Christmas season approaching.”

Entry for the evening workshops for parents at 7pm on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 December at the Holiday Inn is free and no registrations are required.

The Youth Road Safety Expo is supported by Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Police, Fire Service, St John's, Rescue Helicopter, Rotary and Holiday Inn.

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