Offenders Get Road Safety Message

Wellington Community Corrections partnered with emergency services, government agencies, organisations and Kapiti Coast District Council to deliver an innovative road safety programme to 70 community-based offenders at Southwards Car Museum on Tuesday 16 September.

The aim of the day was to educate offenders about laws, safe driving practices, effective restraints for them and their children, alcohol harm and responding to accidents.

The offenders, from Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti attended as part of their community-based sentence or order, under the Work and Living Skills programme.

Many of those who attended are serving or have served a sentence for driving offences.

Sue Abraham, Corrections’ District Manager, says “The programme aims to educate people about risk-taking and road safety. If they understand risk, they will appreciate the consequences their actions may have. It also aims to empower them to make the right decisions in the future.”

Offenders took part in the following activities:

• navigating an obstacle course while wearing Fatal Vision goggles that simulate being impaired by alcohol

• testing a driveway run over kit related to the dangers of children in driveways

• learning about stopping distances and vehicle modifications including brakes locking and skidding

• experiencing a seatbelt simulator stopping suddenly and proper restraints for children

• learning practical roadside maintenance

• seeing emergency services perform a rescue from a mock car crash

• meeting former professional footballer and motivational speaker Tawera Nikau.

Offenders were positive about the activities, with John* from Wellington, saying “the beer goggles were very effective. They teach you about driving while intoxicated and how alcohol impairs you”. Julie* from Kapiti said it was “good to learn about car seats and the braking stop times for driving at 100km/h”.

“Corrections is committed to reducing re-offending by 25% by 2017. By getting offenders to participate in programmes such as this, it’s encouraging them to weigh up risks and make sensible decisions that will help them to lead an offence-free life,” Ms Abraham said.

The day was organised by Corrections, Kapiti Coast District Council and Southwards Car Museum.

Corrections manages offenders to hold them to account to comply with their sentences and orders, reduce their likelihood of re-offending, minimise their risk to others, and help them become productive and contributing members of society.

*Not their real names

ENDS

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