Driving skills to the fore

After a full-on two days of learning and practising driving skills, the winner of the 2018 Central Otago Young Drivers Programme best young driver award, Martin Alford (21), of Alexandra, celebrates at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell where the programme was held.

Mr Alford, who works at the Central Otago District Council as a roading engineer, said the event was ''lots of fun, social and nice'' and he was excited to win.

Although he was familiar with a lot of the skills, it was the first time he had driven a left-hand-drive vehicle and some of the 4WD drive experiences on the programme were new to him.

Ashleigh Anderson (20), of Alexandra, won the most improved driver award.

Twenty-six people aged between 16 and 26 completed the two-day programme, held last Wednesday and Saturday.

Central Otago businesses and organisations nominated a young employee to attend. Lessons were on skills such as skid pan control, winter driving and tyre changing.

-By Tom Kitchin