In an attempt to tackle anti-social driving among young drivers in North Yorkshire, police and driving instructors launch the Honest Truth scheme. What’s it all about?
The Stats
Did you know? Stats show that an average of 80 young drivers in North Yorkshire are killed or seriously injured on the counties’ roads every year. That’s why every effort is being made by authorities to stamp out anti-social driving habits.
Recently, a nationwide scheme was launched, which will see police and local driving instructors working together. Police will train instructors on how to help young drivers in North Yorkshire, and across the country, avoid developing bad driving habits including speeding, the use of phones when behind the wheel, drink or drug-driving and showboating for friends.
Deaths and injuries among young drivers in North Yorkshire
Between 2009 and 2013, 21 per cent of the 80 people killed or seriously injured on North Yorkshire’s roads were aged 16 to 24.
Already working with 1,500 driving instructors throughout the UK, the Honest Truth scheme is hoping to eradicate poor driving habits and raise awareness among young drivers about the potential dangers as they develop their driving skills. After all, one in five young drivers in North Yorkshire and across the country will experience a crash in their first 12 months of driving.
North Yorkshire’s road network
The road network across North Yorkshire covers around 5,000 miles, weaving through stunning scenery such as the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, routes which are the only means of getting around for many young drivers in North Yorkshire.
Yet, many of those young drivers in North Yorkshire are oblivious to the dangers that these winding roads pose, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for road safety, Councillor Don Mackenzie, said: “The rural nature of North Yorkshire means there is a greater need for young people to drive and they tend to travel longer distances on rural roads than young drivers in other parts of the country.â€
He added: “Regardless of what stage a learner driver is at, whether it’s their first lesson or post-test instruction, the Honest Truth will be a useful tool for instructors to help young drivers identify and avoid negative driving traits.â€
Anti-social driving has become a widespread problem across the UK and the Honest Truth was established in 2009 on the back of a crash that resulted in the death of three young motorists in Devon.
The Honest Truth partnership sees members of the Honest Truth team working with local council road safety teams, fire crews and police all of which help to train local driving instructors to pass on key messages to young drivers that they are tutoring.
The campaign focuses on eight key messages concerning drink, drugs, speed, mobile phones, seatbelts, distractions, showing off and tiredness.
Across North Yorkshire, 14 driving instructors will be trained to deliver key messages to young drivers.
Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, Tim Madgwick, said: “On average, a young person is killed on UK roads every 18 hours and another suffers a serious injury every 90 minutes.â€
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