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Young drivers gear up and take to the road
According to recent figures young drivers are more likely to be involved in road accidents than any other age group behind the wheel.
Statistics show that young people are actually twice as likely to be involved in a crash than other motorists, endangering both themselves and other road users.
Derbyshire groups are now responding back, and trying to educate young people about how to use the road properly through advanced driving courses and other extra training available to both young drivers and those who are more experienced.
At the age of 24, and having recently passed her driving test, reporter Laura Hammond is a prime candidate for the advanced driving course, and just one of the thousands of young people across the county being targeted in the campaign to make Derbyshire's roads safer places to be.
She met with Bill Storey, from the Matlock Institute of Advanced Motoring, to quiz him about the course and find out why young people should get involved with extra driver training.
THE idea of doing an advanced driving course is the last thing on the minds of most young people when they first pass their tests.
Doing yet another test after the harrowing experience of getting your licence is not really a priority as they are handed the keys to a car they can finally take out alone after months of practice.
But many cash-strapped young motorists might sit up and consider taking the test when they hear that not only will the course transform them into a more competent driver, but it could also drastically reduce their insurance.
The Matlock Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) is pushing that plus point in a bid to encourage more young people to take the course and improve their skills on the road.
Senior observer Bill Storey said: "It's the money that convinces most young people to do the course, but we're aiming it at parents, who might pay for the course for a birthday or Christmas present.
"The younger people do it the longer they will get benefit from it. They'll drive well for the rest of their lives. Young drivers soak up information because they're still in the learning mode. But it's not teaching them to drive again; it's teaching them to drive better."
According to the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership around 10 per cent of all people killed or seriously injured on the county's roads last year were aged between 17 and 25.
Bill said: "That is the group most at risk and it's a shame that they are not the people who will come forward for this. But the more people we can make better and safer the better."
The Matlock IAM is a charity run by volunteer advanced drivers known as observers. They sit in the car with drivers and help them improve all aspects of their driving.
Bill said the most common problem was that many people drove on auto-pilot.
He said: "Most people get in their cars and drive the same route every day and don't pay much attention to what's going on around them.
There's a lack of observation. Most people just need to plan ahead to give themselves more options when they're driving.
"There's a three-way system of information. Receiving information, giving information and using information. It's important."
Bill and his colleagues also see a lot of problems with speed, including driving too slowly, and a lack of progress in people's driving. The group also sees a lot of older people, who want to improve their skills.
A course, which costs 139, can last up to 12 months. In that time people can have as many lessons as they need and then take a test at the end of it. The group, which is one of dozens around the UK, also works with motorcyclists.
During the lessons, observers look at every aspect of a person's
driving, from parking to driving on motorways, and assess which parts need work.
Bill said: "First and foremost comes safety. You have to learn defensive driving. With that comes progress."
Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership is currently offering 50 off the advanced driving course for young drivers, bringing the price down to just 89.
Partnership manager Robert Hill said: "We have a particular problem with young drivers. We want to encourage them to do some extra training."
For more information contact Bill Storey on 01629 812732 visit www.IAM.org.uk.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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