Taupo's Winter Festival is on this Friday to Sunday and, for many teens, it will be their first experience driving long distances in icy cold weather.
The NZ Transport Agency is warning teenagers could be hitting the road without considering all the risks they are about to face in unfamiliar and, at times hazardous, driving conditions.
The agency has tips on its website to help parents keep their teens safe on the roads this winter.
Identifying potential hazards and solutions before teens set off can minimise stress for teen drivers and their parents. It can also prove an excellent opportunity to increase teen driving skills.
Parents can access www.safeteendriver.co.nz for guidance on how to talk to their teens about driving safely. The website offers tools and practical advice, to make it easier for parents to approach their teens and work collaboratively on pre-empting and handling hazards they may encounter.
