RYDA New Zealand Limited is an initiative of Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand. RYDA is a not for profit organisation that has developed a Programme to help educate young people about road safety as they approach that period in their life when they start driving a car and ride as a passenger in a car driven by one of their peers.
How long has RYDA been operating?
Established in the metropolitan area of Sydney in 2000, the Programme has grown rapidly as a result of strong demand from schools. Such is the demand it is expected that by 2008, students participating in the Programme in that year alone will exceed 30,000.
Programme Launch in New Zealand
The RYDA Programme ran for the first time in New Zealand as a pilot Programme held on Auckland's North Shore early in 2007. The pilot programme involved five schools.
As a result of this successful pilot the programme will be offered to other schools in New Zealand.
Where is the RYDA Programme offered?
Initially to be offered in Auckland, Northland and Franklin District in 2008, RYDA plans to roll out the Programme progressively offering it nationally where there is a clear need.
The Programme is now offered throughout Sydney and in many regions of New South Wales and progressively in other States of Australia.
RYDA's Mission
To provide first quality road safety information to youth helping to ensure that when they commence driving they have received the best possible road safety education.
The Programme targets 15 year old students
This is the time most young people are starting to think about driving so their interest levels are high. Once young people leave school they are not available as a group to receive such education.
Peer pressure has a major effect on students this age. The Programme addresses students as both drivers and passengers in order to change the environment in the car rather than focusing solely on the driver.
Research shows that once young drivers start driving, they are less receptive to safety messages because they have an unfounded belief in their own competency - so the window of opportunity is quite narrow.
Schools are required to deliver this information in Year 11, but can often find it almost impossible to resource an expert Programme, with experienced professionals who have had experience at the 'coal face'.
This best practice Programme means that the content and delivery must meet the criteria established by expert authorities.
In New Zealand, the Programme is subject to review by relevant Government authorities
Partnering with the Community - how the Programme is supported
Rotary partners with those organisations in our community which have a responsibility for, or an interest in, road safety for our youth. The Programme is developed and updated in consultation with authorities having responsibility for Roads, Education, Health and the Police. Local councils, businesses and the philanthropic community support the Programme. Students contribute to the cost with Rotary picking up all cases of hardship so that no student is denied the opportunity of attending the Programme.
Demand from Schools
The demand from schools in Australia has been very strong. RYDA has seen substantial growth in school and student participation since the inaugural Programme in 2000. Over 30,000 students are expected to participate in 2008 alone. In New Zealand it is expected that 3,000 students will participate in 2007/2008 and that additional schools will join the programme in future years.
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