Book Theory Test Today blogger investigates new scheme in the North-East of England launched to encourage young drivers to get safe.
The Government has tried many ways to improve the driving standards of Britain’s young motorists, writes the Book Theory Test Today blogger. However, road deaths involving drivers aged between 17 and 25 continue to rise.
Now, following the closure of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the emergence of the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency, a group in the North-East region of England have set up a radical new scheme to bring about change.
The EXCELerate Durham Young Driver Programme has incentivised its scheme by offering new drivers, who have passed their theory test and practical driving exam, a £500 cash prize in order to take to the roads with a safer driving course certificate under their belts.
The EXCELerate Durham Young Driver Programme includes three-hours of practical in-car training and can be completed once a motorist has passed the UK theory test and practical driving exam.
New drivers who successfully complete the programme will automatically be entered into a prize draw.
The scheme was established following the release of statistics, published by Road Safety GB North-East, which revealed that one in four 17-year-olds, despite passing a theory test and practical driving exam, will be involved in a road traffic accident within six months of passing their test.
In a statement from the vice chairman of County Durham and Darlington Partnership, Ros Pluck, she said: “This three-hour session seeks to develop strategies which help the younger driver to cope with various situations. It puts all the elements that they have learned from their theory test and practical driving exam together and expands their knowledge with the intention of making them safer on roads in the North-East and throughout the UK. â€
Book Theory Test Today understands that the scheme has received substantial backing from the New College, Durham, and is co-ordinated by the Road Safety Team at Durham County Council on behalf of the County Durham and Darlington Road Safety Partnership. The initiative is funded by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme.
The Book Theory Test Today blogger writes: “The scheme is certainly an idea; however, we should be wary about having to incentivise young people to become safer drivers. It’s certainly a good way to get young drivers on a course, but to offer a ‘reward’ of £500 seems a little short-sighted. This ‘solution’ does not hold the key to reducing the number of deaths that occur among young motorists in Britain.â€
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