Course drives message home

A trip to the morgue, a mock car crash, and driving tips from a professional were among the tactics used to prevent a group of Manawatu youths reoffending on the roads.

Sixteen teenagers, aged 13 to 17, attended a youth driving course at Linton Army Base on Saturday and Sunday, which was co-ordinated by Police Youth Aid.

Youth offending team co-ordinator Mel Dore said the teenagers, whose crimes included car theft, drink-driving, and boy racing offences, could do the course, or go before the Youth Court. "It's their one chance," she said.

The simulated crash involved police, firefighters, and ambulance staff rescuing two Linton soldiers from a car, Ms Dore said.

"One of the guys from the fire crew is pretty much talking the kids through exactly what's happening. They are actually freaked out by it."

An undertaker was brought in to give the teenagers a tour through the Palmerston North Hospital morgue, and Palmerston North V8 racer Boyd Norwood gave driving and safety lessons.

The course, which has run for three years, had an "amazing" success rate, Ms Dore said. "We've had about 60 kids a year and we've been going three years, and I think we've had two kids out of all of them who have been caught drinking and driving again."

- © Fairfax NZ News