Workshops delivering “long term improvements” for young drivers

Road safety workshops delivered at schools across Derbyshire deliver "long-term improvements to the attitudes of young drivers and passengers", according to evaluation carried out by RoSPA.

A report from the charity revealed that sixth formers who participated in the workshops still displayed improved attitudes towards road safety 12 months after taking part.

Data shows that young newly qualified drivers are disproportionately represented in road casualties. 17-24 year olds make up 19% of fatal road casualties nationally, despite only accounting for 7% of full licence holders.

The workshop programme is a partnership between Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Derbyshire Constabulary and Derbyshire County Council.

Three, one-hour presentations are delivered to 16 and 17-year-olds at schools across the county with participants answering questionnaires before, immediately after and 12 months after the workshops.

Topics covered in the workshops include: drink and drug driving; strategies for staying safe as a passenger; the risks posed by speeding, using a mobile while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt; and the dangers of becoming distracted while driving.

Matt Pickard, from the Derby & Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “Protecting young drivers is important because a disproportionately high number of them are involved in crashes in Derbyshire.

“We’re encouraged by the fact that we’re making a lasting difference to young people’s attitudes towards driving – but we’re not complacent. We’ll be looking closely at RoSPA’s recommendations to see how we can make the workshops even more successful.”

Christina Brown from RoSPA said: “The (evaluation) project is one of very few that has investigated the longer term effects of an educational programme such as this one. We’re delighted the programme was able to demonstrate lasting consequences for those who attended.”