Published on:
04
July 2013
Clackmannanshire Council has been working with 16 local driving instructors to develop driving safety initiatives to help young drivers to stay safe.
The first of these initiatives was launched at the Bowmar Centre, Alloa, by Transport Minister, Keith Brown and the Council's Education Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson. Young people who sign up for the initiative will benefit from Young Scot discounts and rewards.
Mr Brown and Councillor Forson saw at first hand the importance of the initiative and how in the long term it will prevent accidents involving young drivers.
Councillor Forson said: "In 2012 there were 24 road accidents in Clackmannanshire involving young drivers under 25 years of age; this figure equates to 32% of the total road accidents. As a result of this we decided to give our young people the chance to get discounts and gain rewards through driving instruction."
There are four areas being developed within the driving initiative, including the Engage programme, which is an educational training programme for young drivers which involves coaching and learning self-evaluation skills. It also focuses on the dangers of distractions, fatigue, driving too fast, alcohol and drugs and the value of car safety features.
On completion of the Engage programme the young person will be awarded 400 Young Scot reward points.
Councillor Forson added: "We are also encouraging young people aged 15 to 18 years to do the Road Wise. This is a 20 hour, intensive advanced driving programme which promotes safe driving with the aim of reducing deaths on the road. The programme focuses young drivers on the common causes of accidents, hazard awareness and vehicle safety."
The Road Wise programme will be piloted at the start of the new school term by senior pupils at Lornshill Academy.
Councillor Forson went on: "The programme is developed by driving instructors and will be delivered by them and a member of the Council's Youth Service team. I welcome our senior pupils getting the chance to try out this programme for themselves at an early stage."
Young people with a Young Scot card will pay £21 for a one hour lesson. In addition
young people gaining Young Scot reward points can redeem 2500 points for a voucher for a further 50% discount or 5000 points for a free lesson.
Further information can be found on the Young Scot website www.youngscot.org