Making safety information for senior drivers accessible, friendly, and non-stressful.
The challenge
NZTA Waka Kotahi know that support for aging drivers is essential, as Aotearoa has an aging population and senior drivers make up a significant number of deaths and serious injuries. The existing resources had been created at different times by different groups, leading to issues of consistency and difficulties accessing the right information.
How do we create a set of resources with consistent messaging, which senior drivers and whānau can access no matter their circumstances?
The solution
Working closely with the existing facilitators, we refreshed the in-person course (Staying Safe) to be more activity-based for the participants. This helped move the experience away from a sit-and-listen approach, which holds some negative associations for participants who may not have enjoyed school. We also ensured all the activities were inclusive, using community and family-based examples such as looking after grandchildren or attending open events.
We reworked the four large public information brochures down to two – one for senior drivers and one for friends and whānau supporting senior drivers. This meant each audience could get all the information they needed. We used scenarios and realistic illustration to bring life to the content and connect it to people’s real lives.
