Young people in Renfrewshire get life saving driving lessons

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Last year, 22 young drivers died on Strathclyde's roads and hundreds more were seriously injured.

A total of 55 young drivers, aged from 17 to 25 years old will learn how to 'read the road' from elite police drivers and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) instructors. Test drives will include exercises on hazard perception and observation. There will also be a manoeuvrability course designed to challenge driving skills.

A series of displays and presentations, including a simulated accident, will drive home the serious message that reckless driving wrecks lives. Police helicopters will be taking part along with fire engines and ambulances.

RoSPA and the Driving Standards Agency will also be carrying out driving assessments and providing feedback.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said, "Young drivers make up a small percentage of motorists but are involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents. Being a road user is one of the greatest hazards young people face. We must do everything we can to give them the skills they need to become safe drivers and get past the critical early years behind the wheel."

Chief Inspector Robert Moore, Road Policing Department, Strathclyde Police, said, "Any parent will tell you that there is no more precious cargo in a car than their son or daughter. Despite significant advances in many areas of road safety, there still remains an unacceptably high number of young adults and teenagers who are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year.

"The Young Driver Experience aims to address this issue and seeks to provide young drivers and their parents with information on how to become risk-aware and what the long term consequences are of losing a new licence through irresponsible driving."

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, said, "Road traffic crashes are a routine occurrence on roads throughout the world. Children and young adults are among the most vulnerable. Every hour of every day, forty youngsters die as a result of road traffic crashes. This is a tragedy we can change."

The event is being supported by the Driving Standards Agency, Knockhill Racing Circuit, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Norbert Dentressangle, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Press release issued: Friday 5 March 2010