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Events & conferences > MYD Seminar series > Identity and Indicators - Driving behaviour and outcomes for young people
Identity and Indicators - Driving behaviour and outcomes for young people
On 21 April 2008, the Ministry of Youth Development hosted a seminar by Dr Simon Kingham on Identity and Indicators: Driving behaviour and outcomes for young people.
Presented by Dr Simon Kingham, Associate Professor of Geography,
Department of Geography, University of Canterbury - Te Whare Wananga O
Waitaha.
The seminar addressed two transport related issues that affect youth:
The first was the issue of driving age. At 15, New Zealand has one of
the youngest driving ages in the world which inevitably leads to
frequent calls to raise the age. Rather than raising the age, the New
Zealand government amended the driver licensing system and introduced a
graduated scheme in 1987. This was followed by a reduction in young
driver crashes which has been linked to the change in licence scheme.
But did it? Here the impact of the introduction of New Zealand's
Graduated Driving Licence System (GDLS) on patterns of road traffic
accident mortality amongst the young driving population from1980 to
2001 is examined. Has the GDLS solved the problem or is New Zealand’s
young driving age a health and social issue that needs further debate.
The second was the issue of 'boy racers'. In New Zealand, so-called 'boy
racers' and their associated activities have been subject to much media
coverage and the focus of public discussion over recent years. Many
community groups consider 'boy racers' to be a threat to economic,
social and political investments, and to constitute a challenge to the
concept of decency and respectability and the appropriate function of
public spaces, therefore they are a much maligned group within society.
But who actually are 'boy racers'. Why do they do what they do? This
paper will look at this based on some research carried out in 2003 and
suggest a list of policy recommendations that balance the interests of
regulators, the public, local businesses, 'boy racers' and other
interested parties.
More Information
For more information on this seminar, email us at mydinfo@myd.govt.nz
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