Avon and Somerset Police have launched a new scheme to provide a free driving awareness session to motorists across the area.
The Road Smart course is available for all drivers but organisers are especially keen to encourage young drivers to attend the session.
Figures show that in just one year 452 people were killed or seriously injured on the force’s roads and around one third of these were 17 to 24-year-olds.
To help reduce this figure the driving awareness session has been specially created on behalf of Avon and Somerset Police.
Sessions are available at venues across the area and aim to raise awareness of potential hazards on the roads and build on motorists’ existing driving knowledge and experience.
Some insurance companies will also offer a discount to young drivers who have completed the workshop.
Supt Ian Smith said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to benefit from a free course that could be a life-saving opportunity. Studies show that a significant proportion of collisions are caused by human error and we want to try to help reduce this number.
“The training will be delivered by the TTC Group, a professional road safety education provider. The national course this is based upon is widely hailed as excellent and thought-provoking and really does influence driver behaviour.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “I am delighted Avon and Somerset Police have designed a unique road safety package to further educate all road users, but particularly young drivers. Too often I hear of tragic incidents involving young drivers and am very supportive of initiatives to help prevent this.
“Learning to drive can be an exciting time for a young person which brings about independence. However it should not be underestimated that driving, at any age, is a huge responsibility. This two hour session offers valuable insight and I would encourage people to take advantage of it.”
One of the volunteers who took part in the pilot session, Rowan Webber (19), said: “I thought the course was brilliant, really helpful and that everyone my age should do it.”
Courses will take place from the end of April for the next 12 months. Two versions of the session have been created, one for young drivers (aged 17 to 24) and one for other drivers.
If you are, or know of, a young driver who would like to join this course, or you are aged 25 or over and interested in attending, go to www.roadsmart.org for further details.
