Road safety scheme which reduces accidents by 84% delivers its 1.5 millionth lesson
A road safety scheme which aims to create a safer next generation of drivers has delivered a landmark 1.5 million lessons.
Young Driver teaches people to drive from the age of nine and is the largest scheme of its kind in the UK. Research shows that teaching youngsters to drive over a longer period of time can help to improve the safety of drivers when they go on to pass their test. On average, one in five newly qualified drivers in the UK has an accident within the first six months of passing their test – but for Young Driver alumni that reduces to less than one in 25 (3.4%), an 84% reduction*.
Having launched in 2009 at just one site, Young Driver now operates at 70 venues across England, Scotland and Wales. Over the 16 years the scheme has been operating, 9,384 events have taken place. Realistic road systems are created on private property, with roundabouts, junctions and areas to practice manoeuvres. Lessons are taught in dual controlled Suzuki Swifts or similar cars, by a roster of 430 Approved Driving Instructors.
Youngsters learn as they would on the road at 17, mastering the skills of clutch control, braking, steering and observation, with a drive diary tracking their progress. Under nines can even have a lesson in the specially created electric Firefly, a two-seater car for younger children. Taylor Deans (pic), who has just turned 10 and lives in Wolverhampton, was the youngster behind the wheel for the 1.5 millionth lesson at Young Driver’s Brierley Hill venue in the Midlands.
Savhannah Deans, Taylor’s mum, said: "I've wanted Taylor to try a driving lesson with Young Driver for a while, so we decided to do it for his 10th birthday.
“I was blown away with how much he learnt. We booked in for an hour and he's already desperate to come back! I would highly recommend it to anyone, he’s already more aware of the road and how cars work, which is helpful as a pedestrian and cyclist.
“We will definitely keep going so he builds on his skills." Ian Mulingani, the managing director of Young Driver, said: “Everything we do is about safety and helping young people realise the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel of a vehicle.
“Practice really does make perfect and the accident statistics for our past pupils prove this is a positive way to improve the safety of young people behind the wheel. But it’s still something they have fun doing!” Whilst children can begin learning from age nine, one in five of the scheme’s pupils is aged 16, and looking to ramp up their experience before lessons on the roads.
Young Driver’s research has shown that past pupils are likely to require 58 per cent fewer professional lessons on the road before passing their test. Alumni took, on average, only 19 professional lessons at 17 before they passed their test – a big reduction on the national average of 45 hours*. A further 19% of pupils are aged 17 or 18 and are looking to build up their confidence in a safe and secure environment.
Ian Mulingani explains: “There’s no pressure to pass a test, or to deal with aggressive road users, so pupils can take their time getting to grips with the mechanics of driving a car.
“That solid grounding can make all the difference – helping those aspects become second nature, so that when young people do then take to the road, they can focus much more on the complexities of negotiating road systems and other road users. Some people may be lacking in confidence or may have additional needs and be unsure how they’ll take to driving and this allows them to give it a try in a safe environment. But the younger we start with a pupil the more chance they have to build up their skills – and it’s also key to begin talking to them about responsible and safe driving, when they’re more receptive to it.”
Young Driver recently unveiled a brand new fleet of 170 Suzuki Swift cars. Youngsters can also have lessons in classic and luxury vehicles, and even a fire engine. Young Driver was established in 2009 with the aim of helping teach youngsters to drive over a longer period, therefore encouraging a safer generation of new drivers from the age of 17.
Anyone aged 9 and over and above 1.4 metres tall can get behind the wheel of a dual controlled Suzuki Swift, or a similar car, with a fully qualified ADI driving instructor. Lessons take place on private land which has been developed into a realistic road system complete with road signs, junctions and car parks. A free Drive Diary helps each pupil to monitor progress.
Driving experiences for 10-17s (and adults) can also be purchased through Young Driver Exclusive, which offers drives in either a Porsche 911, Mercedes SL500 or Bentley Flying Spur. A small fleet of classic cars, including a Morris Minor Convertible and Austin Seven, is available too, along with the chance to drive a genuine ex-service fire engine. Additionally, for 10-14-year olds after an off-road experience, the all-terrain Polaris Youth Ranger will hit all the marks. For 4-9-year olds,
Young Driver manufactures the Firefly Sport, an all-British EV which can be driven at selected venues. 1.5 million Young Driver lessons have now been delivered and there are more than 70 venues to choose from across the UK. Young Driver is the only driving school in the UK to offer carbon-negative driving lessons.
All Drive Diaries and leaflets are printed on carbon capture paper and Young Driver’s office only uses Woodland Trust FSC paper. The Drive Diary is also available on the Young Driver app.