Young drivers - Do we have a problem?
In Staffordshire drivers aged between 16 and 25 relate to 40% of all crashes. Recent research has revealed that speed, non wearing of seatbelts and inappropriate driving behaviour along with over confidence and peer pressure are key elements which need educating to this age group. Young drivers, particularly males, have a significantly increased risk of killing themselves or their friends whilst driving.
Staffordshire County Council conducted a Young Persons Road Safety Audit, (16 - 25 years) covering a three year period from September 2001 to August 2004, which highlighted 4,446 young drivers were involved in crashes. This resulted in 5,837 casualties.
Tackling the problem through education
In an endeavour to tackle these issues a comprehensive pre-driver training education programme has been developed. To complement this programme we have joined forces with the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to deliver jointly a range of workshops specifically designed to raise awareness of the vulnerability of young drivers and their passengers.
Pre-Driver Education Workshops for Year 11 students
The Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Team currently offer students in year 11 a highly interactive workshop where students, working in groups, study an actual crash scenario which involved a young driver and two passengers.
Students take on the role of Crash Investigation Officers and study the concept of responsibility and avoidability as they work their way through a series of questions, maps, photographs and road layout plans. The project aims to highlight, stimulate and debate the key issues surrounding casualties among young drivers.
This project would ideally fit into Citizenship or PHSE and has many valuable curriculum links, however, any specific requirements with regard to fitting into the school timetable could be accommodated.
Please note this project has recently been awarded the PRIDE Accreditation. This award is a mechanism for quality assurance in drug and alcohol education which offers educational and training materials which encourage good practice.
Driver Education Workshops for Year 12/13 students
Students within this year group are often learning to drive or have recently passed a driving test.
Research indicates that a new driver is most likely to have a crash within their first two years of passing their driving test.
The Governments 'New Driver Act' means that if a driver accumulates six or more penalty points within their first two years of passing a driving test, they will loose their licence. This means starting from scratch, applying for a provisional driving licence, passing the theory test and then the driving test. Insurance costs will then be significantly higher as the driver will be classed as having previously been disqualified from driving.
Stand-alone workshops
The Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Unit also offer the following workshops to tackle the key issues such as:
- Speeding
- Drinking/Drugs and driving
- Hazard Perception
Supporting initiatives
Driving Standards Agency - these are the people who conduct the UK driving test. They offer a one hour presentation aimed at dispelling the myths surrounding the driving test and raise awareness of important topics such as hazard awareness and defensive driving techniques.
If you would like to take advantage of this free service, please contact Irene Williamson at the Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Unit who will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements.
Special Road Safety events - for those schools who like to arrange either full or half day events. The Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Unit can design bespoke pre and post driver awareness sessions. See below for contact details.
Theatre in Education - a most imaginative way to get the road safety message across.
The Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Unit will be offering this to schools within the areas that the road safety audit highlights as having a particular problem with young driver casualties.
Should you require further information concerning anything in this section, please contact Irene Williamson on 01785 276611
E-mail - irene.williamson@staffordshire.gov.uk
or
roadsafety@staffordshire.gov.uk
Last Modified:
16/11/2006 11:46:39
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