Young Car Drivers

Better driving skills and better driving behaviour would make an enormous difference in reducing the number of road casualties.  Driving is an acquired skill and a demanding one. Speed is the main factor in most collisions.  One in 20 people die if they’re hit at 20 mph; 9 out of 10 die if they’re hit at 40 mph.  Only you can keep them and yourself alive.

Inexperienced drivers take up to 2 seconds longer to react to possible danger or changing road situations.  Many single vehicle collisions occur when the driver loses control of the vehicle when it is travelling too fast round a bend.  Cars full of young males with the stereo playing are far more likely to be involved in an accident than a young driver on his own or with a girlfriend.  Aggressive driving makes male drivers less attractive to young women.

Having just passed your test does not make you a proficient driver.  The test is a basic examination of your ability to drive safely.  Consider what to do next!

The first step should be to enrol on a Pass-Plus course with your local registered driving instructor.  Your abilities will be further fine-tuned and you will be introduced to other aspects of driving previously not available to you, such as motorway driving. Successful completion may well offer discounts on your insurance.

However, for new drivers living in Worcestershire, there is limited funding for help towards the cost of Pass Plus.  See below.

To qualify for the scheme, the new driver must attend a 2-hour theory session before starting the practical modules.  The average cost of a course is £140.00 and we will make available a grant of £60.00 towards that cost.  For further details and application form contact either Diane Hall (01905 766825 ) or Karen Perks (01905 766827)

When the weather changes, take extra care.  There are thousands of young qualified drivers who have never experienced driving in adverse weather conditions, such as fog, snow and ice.  Learning on the highway, without the benefit of experience, can be a hard taskmaster.

Consider enrolling with an advanced driving organisation such as:  

• Institute of Advanced Motorists (I.A.M) www.iam.org.uk
• ROSPA Advanced Drivers & Riders www.roadar.org
• Guild of Experienced Motorists (G.E.M).