Subaru of New Zealand has partnered with one of New Zealand’s leading driver education programmes, Street Smart, driven by Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety.
Subaru is synonymous with safety and the brand is working towards a goal of zero fatal road accidents in a Subaru vehicle by 2030. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, EyeSight Clever Collision Avoidance Technology, Vision Assist and Driver Monitoring System underpin the vision.
In the new partnership, Subaru New Zealand is providing control vehicles for the Street Smart team to use during its driver training programme.
As the programme’s Official Vehicle Partner, Subaru has made available an Impreza and a Crosstrek for the Street Smart programmes at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and Taupō International Motorsport Park. At Highlands Motorsport Park, the driving team will use the WRXs that are based at the Cromwell facility as part of the Subaru WRX Experience.
Street Smart offers a unique, one-day practical learning experience for young drivers and their parents/caregivers. Participants engage in supervised driving practice aimed at enhancing decision-making skills, understanding road environments, resisting peer pressure, and managing distractions.
Held at venues like Highlands Motorsport Park, Taupō International Motorsport Park, and Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, the programme emphasises safe, controlled environments under normal road conditions. Its goal is to empower participants to become safer, more informed drivers, with a learner-centered approach that encourages self-assessment and further learning opportunities.
Kym Mellow, General Manager of Inchcape New Zealand, the distributor for Subaru of New Zealand, said: “Subaru of New Zealand and Street Smart have a shared vision of commitment to safety on our roads here in New Zealand.
“With Street Smart’s hands-on, insight-driven driver training approach, our partnership has clear synergies. As a parent of teenagers who are currently learning to drive, I understand first-hand how important learning about driver safety is. We’re proud to be part of a programme that delivers true community benefit and will make a meaningful difference to the lives of New Zealanders.”
Tony Quinn, Founder of the Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety, said: “Young drivers face significant risks on New Zealand roads, where life-changing moments can occur in an instant behind the wheel. That’s why our partnership with Street Smart is crucial. This program is designed to equip our least experienced drivers with essential skills that can save lives.
“I am proud and pleased to hear that, following our announcement at Supercars to partner with Street Smart, Subaru of New Zealand proactively reached out to our CEO, Josie Spillane, to offer its support. Having been partners with Subaru for nearly a decade at Highlands, I know the team is committed to making a real difference. I commend Subaru of New Zealand for its proactive approach in Street Smart. The programme is at the forefront of efforts to reduce road fatalities in New Zealand.”
Greg Murphy, Street Smart Trustee and Ambassador, said: “Street Smart is New Zealand’s only bespoke, practical driving programme developed by experts especially for Kiwi teens. The aim is to help them safer and more aware while driving. Earlier this year, we were extremely grateful to secure funding from the Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety. We are now privileged to have Subaru of New Zealand join us as our Official Vehicle Partner, sharing our commitment to keeping Kiwis safe on the roads.”
This partnership is also in service of supporting and bringing a voice to the Stroud family and the work they have been doing to raise money to support young driver education. This follows the devastating death of their seventeen-year-old son Kelan Stroud in March following a three-vehicle accident in Cromwell.
The Street Smart programme commenced this week at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Visit www.streetsmart.nz to register for 2024/2025 Street Smart driven by Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety programmes in Auckland, Taupo, and Cromwell.
For more information on Subaru Corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility CSR initiatives visit https://www.subaru.co.jp/en/csr/subaru_csr/sixpriority/peace.html.
