Turning the key to opportunities

Ken McIntosh was behind the wheel of his parents’ 1972 Holden Kingswood when he sat his driver licence in Culverden about 50 years ago, at the county council’s local office.

“We’d sit a written and an oral, go for a drive and then we had our licence,” he reflected.

The retired school principal has retired back in his home town, and for the past two years has been volunteering his time to Hurunui District Council’s (HDC) Driver Mentor Programme, mentoring local learner drivers wanting to achieve a restricted licence.

McIntosh admitted the testing around driver licences is a lot more rigorous these days, which is understandable with more traffic and faster vehicles.

He appreciates the challenges for learner drivers who are on the Programme, who commonly have no access to a vehicle to learn to drive in, or have no one available to teach them to drive.

Additionally, travelling to a main centre like Rangiora to practice navigating traffic lights, roundabouts, Stop signs and Give Way signs is a three and a half hour round-trip which is not achievable for school students during term time or people who work full time.

McIntosh said Culverden is great for getting used to the vehicle, but time availability is a necessity to learn all the skills.

“The effort is worth it for the drivers, it’s great when people are focused and committed,” said McIntosh.

Another challenge for learner drivers in Culverden is having access to a driver mentor from the Programme, because at the moment there are not enough.

McIntosh said it’s a very rewarding part of his week and encouraged more locals like himself with some extra time, to help out.

“Our role is about giving good advice and being consistent with the messages learner drivers are picking up from their driving instructors.”

While mentors are not driving instructors, they undertake training so they can work alongside and support the instructors involved in the programme.

“It’s a really good system, and it’s great to be able to support people to get their licence to help them open up more opportunities.”

HDC’s Safer Roads Facilitator Emma Feathery said the mentors who have given their time in the Amuri area have made a wonderfully positive difference within their community.

A driver licence can change lives, and Emma said the need is greater than the current number of mentors available.

“If you’re looking for a meaningful volunteering opportunity, please consider joining the Hurunui Community Mentor Driver Programme,” she said.

For more information, please give Emma a call on 027 808 4563 or visit https://www.hurunui.govt.nz/community/driver-mento...