Free driver training is being offered to 16 to 24-year-olds in Central Bedfordshire and Luton to help young drivers stay safer on the roads and reduce the number being killed or seriously injured.
A full day session including five different workshops is being held at the Millbrook Proving Ground on 7 July, with 96 places available for youngsters who live in Central Bedfordshire or Luton.
The MORE 16 and MORE Drive courses are run by Bedfordshire Police and the Three Shires Driving School, organised by highways contractor Amey and funded by Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council. Since this young driver training programme was launched in 2010 more than 500 youngsters have participated.
Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities and Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "Collision statistics tell a bleak story. In Central Bedfordshire and Luton between 2009 and 2011 almost 30 per cent of drivers and 36 per cent of passengers killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents were aged between 17 and 24. Delivering the MORE 16 and MORE Drive courses is part of our commitment to reduce road collisions among this age group."
MORE 16 is aimed at 16-year-olds to provide their first experience of driving. Parents can attend for advice on choosing a driving instructor and guidance when helping their teens practise. A high-speed passenger ride with a Millbrook pro-driver with competition history in motorsport such as rallying or racing is available to all parents that attend.
MORE Drive offers 17 to 24-year-olds who have already passed their driving test the chance to drive on a skid pan and experience ABS braking systems. It also includes practising emergency stops at speed to demonstrate varying stopping distances.
Rebecca Bailey, who attended the last MORE Drive course, said, "During the recent bad weather my car skidded while I was on a roundabout. Before attending MORE Drive I wouldn’t have known what to do but thanks to the knowledge I gained from the course I could control the skid and drove away safely."
The five workshops included on the day are:
- Driving skills
- Distractions
- Collision investigation and causation factors
- What to look for when buying a used car
- Vehicle maintenance
Cllr Dave Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Transportation at Luton Borough Council, said: "MORE 16 and MORE Drive are a great way for our young people to learn new skills and improve their driving ability. It would be wonderful if as many of our young drivers as possible could attend."
The courses are free for 16 to 24-year-olds living in Central Bedfordshire and Luton. All participants must complete an application form prior to attending. To request an application from or for more information on either MORE 16 or MORE Drive, email roadsafety@amey.co.uk.
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