How did Safer Driving Skills NZ come about?
Safer Driving Skills NZ Ltd was started by Sarah-Jane and Barry, so they could pass on the knowledge they have gained over an extensive career in the medical and driving fields. They are highly dedicated to working with all drivers - beginners to experienced - so everyone can become safer on the roads and help do their part in reducing our national road toll.
Sarah-Jane and Barry have had careers in the ambulance sector where they have seen the end result in bad decision making. This gave them the determination to gain their Driving Instructor Endorsement. Once they qualified as a NZTA endorsed Driving Instructor, they then went on to gain their Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) and Certificate of Assessment (COA), so that they could start their path into training people to become driving instructors.
Sarah-Jane and Barry also became Defensive Driving Course facilitators, so that they could help those who participated in the course, to take home some safe driving habits. They have done this by helping each participant identify their driving style and then worked with them to adapt their habits to be a safer skilled driver.
Meet Sarah-Jane
Meet Sarah-Jane, our expert driving teacher at Safer Driving Skills NZ Ltd. With a rich background of over 15 years in teaching drivers of all levels, she has a diverse experience. Before coming to New Zealand in 2006 for a better life, she worked with the elderly and as a Youth Custody Officer for Young Offenders in the UK. Quickly adopting New Zealand as her home, Sarah-Jane became a proud citizen, working in various roles at St John Ambulance, from handling medical alarms to senior management. She also volunteered as a Youth Leader and First Responder. After seeing the impact of motor accidents first-hand, she was driven to make a difference in road safety. This led her to become a Driving Instructor, working as a contractor with AA Driving School for 7 and a half years. She taught driving lessons, ran Defensive Driving and Fleet Business Courses, and worked with Occupational Therapists to help clients with medical or accident-induced mobility challenges drive safely, including using modified vehicles. Sarah-Jane is dedicated to boosting driver confidence and safety on New Zealand roads.
Meet Barry
Growing up in Mid Canterbury, I learned to drive on my uncle's farm, handling various vehicles safely. My apprenticeship involved daily driving, which was useful later. Volunteering as a Firefighter and Ambulance crew led me to a career as a Paramedic and St John Driving Instructor. With 28 years as a Paramedic, I've seen the terrible outcomes of poor driving. This inspired me to teach driving, aiming to improve attitudes towards safe driving. I spent 9 years with AA as a Technical Instructor and Regional Coordinator, teaching new drivers, managing driving courses for businesses, Defensive Driving Courses, and getting my MITO Assessors qualification. Safety is the top priority in driving, and it's crucial that we, as instructors, teach students to make safe choices behind the wheel. Keeping students relaxed makes teaching easier and helps them learn safe driving skills to stay safe on the roads. At Safer Driving Skills NZ, we're committed to this mission.
