Uni Advanced Driving - UK First in Young Driver Safety

[Darren]

Advanced-Driving.co.uk (ADUK) has, for some time been the leading online community dedicated to Advanced Driving and road safety through driver education with thousands of viewers every day looking to improve their driving standards and therefore improve road safety in the UK. This is of obvious and significant benefit to those most at risk of road fatalities, generally drivers in the younger age range.

In September 2006, ADUK supported the establishment of the Staffordshire University Advanced Driving Society. This organisation is run by a comittee of current students and is supported by both the Students' Union and Staffordshire County Council. At the end of their course, they may elect to take a RoSPA or IAM Advanced Driving test.

Research was done by Staffs students into why young people traditionally did not undertake Advanced Driver training. Although there was a hard core who 'believed' they were too good already and did not feel they needed extra training, the vast majority appreciated the benefits of Advanced Driving and had not previously persued it either because:

* They had no idea where/how to obtain it
* Thought it would be expensive
* Thought it was unsuitable for young people
* Thought their [typically small, low-powered] cars would not be suitable

The 'by students, for students' approach, casual attitude and general approachability of the Staffs Advanced Driving personnel made it relatively easy to convince people of the benefits.

The Society has been mentoring its members on a fortnightly basis for 8 weeks. Some are now approaching test readiness and will soon be put forward for RoSPA's Advanced Driving Test with an Examiner who holds a Police Class 1 certificate and we look forward to seeing them pass at a high grade early in the 2007. For their efforts the course attendees could benefit from up to 40% off their car insurance premium through a scheme negotiated between Advanced Driving UK and Adrian Flux Insurance.

Following the outstanding success of Staffs Advanced Driving, communication is ongoing to arrange a national roll-out of similar schemes at other Universities and Colleges around the country with proven methods of recruitment and delivery and with a view to having a significant impact on Young Driver safety, for minimal cost to the Student and in the process of saving lives, through Advanced-Driving.co.uk generating significant membership benefits to those that rise to the challenge.

Advanced-Driving.co.uk are extremely proud to be working on such a scheme, the first of it's kind in the UK is a landmark achievement in road safety initiatives with an ambitious plan to expand significantly in 2007 with backing from some high profile names in the industry. It's hoped this could be a winner for all involved, especially those who are hit hardest with accident statistics.

[ROG]

Sent copy to Leicester university