U-Turn

U-Turn is a road safety programme designed to help guide young traffic offenders aged 16-17 to adopt safer road user behaviours. The workshop helps educate these young people to understand the part they played in their offending, the consequences, and what they could do to change their behaviour and contribute to building a positive road safety culture.  Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD work alongside NZ Police to deliver the programme in the community.

The course offers youth an opportunity to learn about road safety and the part they play in keeping themselves and others safe on our roads, to influence better decision making on the road to avoid further offending and to fulfill requirements of their Alternative Action plan.

Police are in charge to lead session one with the support of SADD. SADD will run session two with the support of police. Usually it is the Youth Services teams that are involved, with the addition of Road Policing or Serious Crash Unit teams where needed.

Currently U-Turn is only being run in Auckland and Hamilton.

 

Outcomes:

  • Participants are better informed about how to keep themselves and others safe on our roads

  • Participants understand the consequences of unsafe road user behaviours (RIDS and Driver Licence) and benefits of complying with Land Transport Act and Road User rules

  • Participants gain a greater understanding about how to avoid traffic offending and develop safer driver choices to avoid the criminal justice system

  • To complete all required tasks in order to fulfill their requirements under the Alternative Action plan.


Offending criteria

  • Forbidden Drivers

  • Careless Driving

  • Dangerous Driving

  • Reckless Driving

  • Driving while Suspended

  • Driving while Forbidden

  • Excessive Speed

  • Failing to Stop

  • Sustained Loss of Traction

  • Excess Breath Alcohol

Criteria to pass the course:

  • Be aged 16-17 (exception for younger on a case by case basis)

  • Any driver licence status is accepted - nil, learners, restricted, full as well as forbidden, suspended or disqualified

  • Attend the full course, two days (two hours per session)

  • Participate fully in the course and satisfy the facilitator that sufficient effort has been displayed to pass their AA plan

  • There are exceptions to the rule (age, offending, FGC files). Please enquire within.

  • Counties Manukau, Waitemata and Waikato police (Hamilton City only) will use AWHI to refer. All other areas to refer on spreadsheet via email.

  • Please note this is not a drivers licence course

     

POLICE USE ONLY:

Referral pathway & criteria:
Referral process & offence criteria.docx

Referral form for districts not using AWHI: Click here

Relevant forms:
Info for Youth and Caregivers.docx (template)

Programme dates 2025

Check out this video from one of the U Turn participants
who gives his views on the programme.

Enquiries:
Sandra Dacey (Auckland)
Community Road Safety Lead
Phone: 027 279 3130
Email: crsp@sadd.org.nz

Or Melanie Wallace (Waikato)
Programme Delivery Lead
Phone: 027 239 6610
Email: crsp@sadd.org.nz

Testimonials

  • Constable, Youth Aid, Counties Manukau

    “The U-Turn programme has been a fantastic resource for the police in Counties Manukau East district. We have no other programme like it for this target audience and it has definitely filled a much needed gap in the youth space. 

    I believe we have successfully created a safe space for young people to learn from their mistakes and gain knowledge around safer driving choices to keep themselves and other road users safe on our roads. Our rates of re-offending are very low and the majority of our participants have not had any further involvement with police which is amazing.

    I am personally very grateful to Sandra and Donna from SADD who with no hesitation jumped on board with this idea and ran with it. SADD plays an invaluable role in the running and longevity of the programme and it would not be the success it is today without their support and hard work.” 

  • Sergeant, Youth Engagement, Counties Manukau

    "In Counties Manukau we have very limited options for helping address driving behaviours of our young people.

    While there are some courses available that target this, our communities are usually locked out due to financial costs or lack of ability to get there. 

    We needed something that was local, affordable and still had a meaningful impact on our young people. U-Turn has been invaluable in this space, helping our young people learn the impact of their behaviours, while also supporting them to further enhance their capability as drivers.”

  • Social worker, Oranga Tamariki, Counties Manukau

    It has been very difficult in finding a driving road safety education course for this young person, as the judge ordered for them to go to a course that will educate them about their reckless driving.

    Most places prefer for the young person to hold a valid driver’s license before they are eligible to join.

    The youth justice social worker deeply acknowledges SADD U-turn staff Donna and Sandra for their amazing support and accepting this young person into the course. Acknowledgements to the youth aid officer and Sergeant concerned, for collaborating with SADD. It is greatly appreciated with respect that the SADD U Turn course is available for situations like this within the youth justice system.

    The youth justice social worker is proud of this young person for participating and gaining fundamental learnings from the U Turn course which can support them with their project on ‘the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of risks and safety on the road’ before the court.