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RNZ News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Safe or risky?: NZTA, driving schools at odds over car simulators
Driving schools that offer lessons in high-tech car simulators are at odds with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) over safety risks they could pose for learner drivers once they hit the road. The agency argues simulators could encourage over-confidence, putting new drivers at greater risk of crashing. But instructors who own simulators say they are not dangerous and expose people to a wide range of scenarios. Excellence Driving Academy co-directors Wendy and Tony Green offered lessons in simulators, saying they could replicate different weather conditions, times of day and road types. Wendy Green said they also let drivers from smaller rural areas experience virtual big city streets. "That's where the simulator is kind of in its own, because it doesn't matter where you live geographically. You still have the ability to be able to be taught the skills you need to drive anywhere," she said. "[NZTA] don't know what they're talking about. Our simulators are not dangerous." Wendy and Tony Green. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Tony Green said roads were globally generic but had been "New Zealand-ised" to include familiar lines, signs and lights. Simulators could also generate hazards like vehicles running red lights. In a paper published late last year, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) expressed concerns about simulators, saying they could promote over-confidence, corresponding with a crash risk. "Any benefits that might arise through training are greatly out-weighed by the overconfidence imparted in those involved in these courses," the paper said. "There is no substitute for on-road training and experience. Learners do not acquire the same level of skill and competence and there are potential risks for increased over-confidence, and corresponding crash risk." While simulators had some advantages for drivers, such as exposure to different scenarios, they had limitations in teaching basic vehicle handling skills, NZTA said. "Owing to the difficulty in emulating on-road driving... simulator training could lead to incorrect learning of procedural skills such as reduced mirror scanning (due to learning on a simulator with a single screen and narrow field of view) or poor vehicle control (due to limitations in steering, braking or motion functionality)," the paper said. NZTA declined RNZ's request for an interview, but in a statement said driving schools increasingly wanted to introduce simulator technology to New Zealand. It did not support them as a replacement for on road-training or using them to increase familiarity with driving and would not fund or support driving simulator trials. The agency said its position was based on the latest available research and was peer reviewed by international road safety experts. NZTA did not directly address a question whether it would like the technology banned, instead saying it would monitor developments. "We would be happy to work with industry to help them shape scientifically robust studies that may further advance the current evidence base," the agency said. AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said the technology could help with real-world practice, but ultimately people still needed to learn on real roads. "If you crash when you're driving a car in a simulation the computer can just reset and you carry on driving. In the real world, the consequences of people making a mistake, having things go wrong, can be severe. People can be hurt. People can even lose their lives." Selwyn Driving School. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon The Greens had sold four simulators to instructors since 2019, including to Selwyn Driving School director Brad Mannering. Mannering installed the unit in a converted ambulance at a cost of around $100,000. He said simulators could let people experience virtual driving such as driving on ice or safely performing emergency brake training. "This way I can guarantee exposure to the top 25 reasons accidents that happen world-wide. They have at least a memory of that situation occurring for them and hopefully they'll be able to recall that a time they need it on the road," he said. "The thing that I most disagree with is they've picked and chosen which parts of those international studies they wanted to use in their document. There is actually a whole lot of stuff that supports the use of driving simulators and education and I think they've glazed over some of that stuff." Selwyn Driving School director Brad Mannering. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Oranga Tamariki funded Mannering for the past year to run weekly simulator lessons at Te Puna Wai ō Tuhinapo youth justice centre in Rolleston. Residential services youth justice manager Aimee Hunter said the defensive tactics taught in the simulator helped a teenager at Te Puna Wai get their restricted drivers licence. "It's things you can't teach in a classroom. Those are the points that when we get back to our young person, who was able to obtain a restricted drivers licence, their whānau is incredibly grateful, and have seen the change in that young person," she said. "They are now out in the community, independent, driving on a legitimate drivers licence and working a permanent full-time job. Some of the feedback we've had from whānau has been huge." In April, the government proposed the first major changes to the country's driver licence system in 14 years, under which drivers would not need to take a second practical test to get their licence. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
North Wales Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey ice cream company Red Boat to serve Denbighshire
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) has announced a new partnership with Anglesey-based artisan ice cream company Red Boat. The partnership will see Red Boat's ice cream served at DLL's attractions this summer. Red Boat offers a range of gelato products with flavours including Rocky Road, Salted Caramel, and Strawberries & Cream. The ice cream will be available at DLL's attractions, including SC2 Rhyl, Nova Prestatyn, Beach Hut Nova, 1891 Restaurant and Bar, and the Shack. Jamie Groves, managing director of DLL, said: "DLL is delighted to be working with yet another North Wales-based company, and we can't wait to bring the taste of Red Boat to our customers. "Like DLL, Red Boat only use the very best ingredients and are passionate about what they do, resulting in the highest quality experience for DLL customers." Red Boat's range also caters for dietary requirements. Tony Green, founder of Red Boat, said: "My team and I are a very creative group of ex-chefs and enjoy working with others in the hospitality sector in creating delicious handmade gelato flavours for restaurants and visitor attractions. "I personally trained in the Carpigiani Gelato University, Bologna, Italy, working with and being inspired by some of the finest gelato chefs in the world. "It is the above passion and creativity that Red Boat will bring to our exciting new working relationship with DLL and its stable of fantastic visitor attractions, in delivering a fantastic gelato taste experience for their visitors, which will complement the great time they have had with DLL." For more information, visit
Rhyl Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Anglesey ice cream company Red Boat to serve Denbighshire
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) has announced a new partnership with Anglesey-based artisan ice cream company Red Boat. The partnership will see Red Boat's ice cream served at DLL's attractions this summer. Red Boat offers a range of gelato products with flavours including Rocky Road, Salted Caramel, and Strawberries & Cream. The ice cream will be available at DLL's attractions, including SC2 Rhyl, Nova Prestatyn, Beach Hut Nova, 1891 Restaurant and Bar, and the Shack. Jamie Groves, managing director of DLL, said: "DLL is delighted to be working with yet another North Wales-based company, and we can't wait to bring the taste of Red Boat to our customers. "Like DLL, Red Boat only use the very best ingredients and are passionate about what they do, resulting in the highest quality experience for DLL customers." Red Boat's range also caters for dietary requirements. Tony Green, founder of Red Boat, said: "My team and I are a very creative group of ex-chefs and enjoy working with others in the hospitality sector in creating delicious handmade gelato flavours for restaurants and visitor attractions. "I personally trained in the Carpigiani Gelato University, Bologna, Italy, working with and being inspired by some of the finest gelato chefs in the world. "It is the above passion and creativity that Red Boat will bring to our exciting new working relationship with DLL and its stable of fantastic visitor attractions, in delivering a fantastic gelato taste experience for their visitors, which will complement the great time they have had with DLL." For more information, visit
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Brecht's answer to Beckett's question
The question posed by Andy Beckett (What if one key problem with British politics at the moment is us – the voters?, 16 May) was answered with sharp irony by Bertolt Brecht in his poem Die Lösung (The Solution): 'Would it not in that case / Be simpler for the government / To dissolve the people / And elect another?'Derrick CameronStoke-on-Trent Thames Water's chair, Sir Adrian Montague, argues for bonuses up to 50% of senior managers' salaries, because they are its 'most precious resource' (Report, 15 May). Some of us would say that water is their most precious resource, and should not be in the hands of rule-breaking, profit-seeking TreagusManchester Thames Water's executives want Ofwat to refrain from fining the company for its failings (Nils Pratley on finance, 13, May). Perhaps instead, the overpaid executives themselves should be issued with massive fines for their failings? It might just concentrate their minds a bit GreenIpswich Our football-mad German step-grandson, aged seven, came to stay recently, travelling in one of his many souvenir shirts, a West Ham one. 'Is someone forcing you to wear that?' asked the border official (Letters, 13 April).Karen AdlerNottingham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New safety concerns uncovered at Habitat for Humanity homes after scathing Ombudsman report
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two days after Deputy Ombudsman Tony Green the fire bureau for ignoring his safety warnings, KOIN 6 has uncovered new safety concerns at a Habitat for Humanity complex in SE Portland. The newly obtained documents show the City of Portland has identified multiple building code concerns at the Cherry Blossom Townhomes near Mall 205, some of which now require correction. 'I am grateful that I got this opportunity to buy a home. But I also feel like that there were so many errors along the way that weren't caught, and this is not their first time that they've built a home,' said homeowner Jasmine Stoner. The city's inspection found fire hazards in at least one garage, as well as missing drywall, no fire caulking, and no fire separation measures installed. 'If there was a fire in the garage, the fire would just go right through those walls,' said homeowner Lacey Sutton, who added that they appreciate the city's code enforcement team taking their concerns seriously. 'These are very important safety issues that Portland Permitting & Development admits were just missed during inspections.' These findings come after a discovered additional issues at habitat housing that likely violate certain fire codes – raising serious safety concerns in an emergency. KOIN Investigation reveals fire code concerns at new Habitat for Humanity homes Green highlighted similar fire safety concerns in a report this week. The city is now telling Habitat for Humanity to fix issues that the permitting department missed during the building inspection. 'I was beyond thrilled to find out that Portland Permitting & Development would be making Habitat for Humanity come back and fix things,' Sutton said. An email from Habitat for Humanity CEO Steve Messinetti said the city has contacted him to fix the fire hazards in the garage and missing bike parking. 'I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for what they're going to have to come back and fix,' Sutton said. In the public records, KOIN 6 found other outstanding building complaints from residents as well. KOIN is still looking into those additional safety concerns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
