There’s a concerning paradox on our roads. Globally, Gen Z are getting their licences later and less often, yet their crash statistics are climbing alarmingly. In New Zealand, the numbers paint a stark picture, while young drivers make up only 13% of licence holders, they were involved in 30% of serious injury crashes and over 25% of road fatalities in 2022.
In 2023 alone, drivers under 25 were found primarily responsible for over 2,800 crashes that resulted in 75 deaths and more than 2,255 injuries. It’s a critical gap between simply passing a test and possessing the real-world skills to survive on the road. Now, a coalition of road safety experts and a Kiwi motorsport legend are stepping in to bridge that gap with a hands-on programme called Street Smart.
More Than Just a Licence
Backed by motorsport icon Greg ‘Murph’ Murphy, AutoSense, and the Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety, Street Smart is a one-day, practical course designed to arm young drivers with skills that go far beyond the standard licensing system. The programme is open to drivers on their learner, restricted, or full licence. The core philosophy, as Murphy puts it, is that “Young drivers are learning the rules, but not the reactions”. Street Smart aims to build those crucial reactions and instincts in a safe, controlled environment.
Participants use their own cars, which adds a layer of valuable familiarity, and cycle through seven different hands-on modules.These aren’t just theory lessons; they include practical exercises in emergency braking, crash avoidance, hazard identification, and managing distractions. To ensure the lessons stick, a parent or guardian rides along, helping to embed the safe habits long after the course is over. “Having Mum or Dad in the back seat is important as we want to make sure the learning continues after a young driver leaves their Street Smart day,” Murphy adds.
Learning by Doing
The team behind the programme believes that true competence comes from experience. “You can’t always get real risk exposure just by passing the standard driving test,” says Street Smart Programme Director, Hayden Dickason. “Being in the car and doing it, learning by doing, with people invested in showing you the right way – that’s what makes the difference. “This sentiment is echoed by AutoSense CEO Charles Dawson, whose organisation is a key partner. “Structured, hands-on, experiential training is exactly what’s needed to ensure our youngest drivers are equipped to keep themselves – and others – safe on the road,” says Dawson. The programme effectively provides a concentrated dose of real-world practice, helping to build the awareness and competence that are crucial for a lifetime of safe driving.
Get Street Smart in 2025
Thanks to the support of its partners, the Street Smart programme is offered nationwide, primarily during school holidays.Upcoming dates for 2025 include:
- Taupō: 30 June, 1 July, 25 & 26 September, 3 & 4 December* Hampton Downs: 2, 3, 4, 6, 13 July, 24 August, 22, 23, 24 September, 11 October* Cromwell: 8 & 9 July, 30 September, 1 October, 11 & 12 December* Invercargill: 10 & 11 July, 29 September* Christchurch: 29 September, 8 & 9 December With a focus on building practical, life-saving instincts, Street Smart is an investment in creating a generation of drivers who are not just licenced, but truly capable. For more information and to register for a course, visit streetsmart.nz.
