Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service – Driving Down The Risk!
Young adults have been getting a lesson on the dangerous of driving as part of an initiative to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on roads in North Warwickshire.
In 2005 there were 700 road traffic collisions in North Warwickshire, of those 110 were serious or fatal. In an attempt to Drive Down The Risk, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up with Warwickshire Police and the Institute of Advanced Motorists to educate young people on the risks of driving on rural roads.
Statistics show that 20% of accidents where people are killed or seriously injured involve drivers under the age of twenty, despite the fact that they make up only 2% of driving license holders.
Watch Manager, Mark Rose said:
“The main aim of this course is to target those drivers who are statistically are at the greatest risk from this type of incident. The scheme aims to increase the hazard awareness of the candidates chosen for the course, in an attempt to make them more competent and safer drivers.
“The longer term aim for this scheme is to produce, with our partners, an ongoing, resilient and credible programme that can be rolled out across the County to reduce accidents.”
Although young people seem to be involved in more accidents, it doesn’t necessary reflect on their driving, The County of Warwickshire has many motorways and major trunk roads with millions traveling through each year. These roads can be hard to navigate and bends can easily be misjudged when you lack experience. Sessions covered during the course include Hazard perception, advanced driving techniques and the consequences of accidents and poor driving.
The first course was run at Coleshill Fire Station. Another course is due to be run in the north of the County in May.
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For further information please contact Mark Rose on 02476 383131 or Lisa Mowe on 01926 412513.