A national collective of driver education and road safety advocates is calling on the Government to commit to establishing a National Driver Equity Fund. The fund would be a ‘game changer’ for New Zealand driver education and training, improving safety and saving lives. 

The Driving Change Network, a national network of over 900 stakeholders representing community providers, driving instructors, non-profit organisations, and Iwi Māori, is calling for a truly effective driver education and licensing system built on education, accessibility, equity and safety.

“We are calling on the Government to establish a National Driver Equity Fund, which would be a game changer for driver education and training in New Zealand, helping to raise the skill levels of New Zealand drivers and ultimately save lives,” says Wendy Robertson, National Director of the Driving Change Network.

“We can achieve this by redirecting the proceeds of fines from Traffic Safety Cameras across the country into a new fund, enabling sustainable funding for equitable and accessible driver education, training and licensing.”

“A driver’s licence is a key practical tool that helps connect New Zealanders to work, education and full social participation. We are confident that a National Driver Equity Fund will remove barriers for people currently ineligible for limited government support including Māori, Pasifika and low-income rural communities, and reduce the pressure to drive unlicensed by funding the education, training and licensing help they need.”

At present, all Traffic Safety Camera revenue is allocated to the Government’s Consolidated Fund (the Government purse), and is left to the Government of the day to use the funds as it sees fit. By redirecting a ring-fenced percentage of it to a National Driver Equity Fund, it could be used in a variety of ways.

“Ring-fencing this money could enable New Zealanders to get practical driver support that actually helps them get and keep a licence. This could also include learner-study help, supervised practice hours, hazard perception training, driver licence test prep, access to a legal car and a mentor through community programmes. It’s an investment that pays back in fewer crashes, fewer victims and more people safely licensed and employable,” says Wendy.

The approach is not unprecedented, and has proven to be an effective solution across the Tasman, where various States have had considerable success.

In New South Wales (NSW), Transport for NSW uses revenue hypothecated from safety-camera offences to a Community Road Safety Fund. Since its inception, NSW’s model has helped save more than 1,400 lives. 

Queensland directs camera-fine revenue to road-safety initiatives

Western Australia dedicates 100% of speed and red-light camera revenue to the Road Trauma Trust Account.

South Australia returns most camera-fine revenue to its Community Road Safety Fund to support education and community delivery.

“A National Driver Equity Fund could start with pilot programmes in high-need regions, delivered with trusted community providers, and scaled nationally over two years. If we pair this with an education-led approach rather than punitive measures, we’ll make a start on reducing low-level offending that makes its way to our courts, lift employability and, most importantly, save lives on our roads,” says Wendy.

“By making sure people get timely help to gain a licence and stay within their licence conditions, we can keep more whānau safely and legally on the road — a practical equity and harm-reduction approach that strengthens road safety as well as our communities and justice system.”