AN AMBITIOUS pilot scheme with DVSA driving test centres has been launched in a bid to reduce the staggering numbers of young drivers and passengers involved in major incidents.

With an average of 168 road users aged 17-24 killed or seriously injured on UK roads each month, six councils across the UK have been chosen to provide free guides aimed at reducing that toll.

Created by Good Egg Drivers, a Community Interest Company, the guides, entitled ‘Getting your licence and keeping it... everything you need to know’ are designed to be the ultimate resource for the new driver – shining a light on the dangers posed at the wheel while providing positive, practical advice.

Thousands of guides will be provided to practical test centres through road safety officers in the six pilot regions while support materials will be placed in theory test centres.

Councils that have signed up to the pilot are Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Liverpool and the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Hillingdon.

Jan James, founder of Good Egg Drivers, said: “We feel strongly that these collisions involving our youngest drivers are so frequent that we have, in a sense, almost become desensitised to the tragic reports we see with alarming regularity.

“Our guides are not designed to be ‘preachy’ – they are very straightforward and wholly focused on the key messages new drivers urgently need to be aware of.”

The Good Egg New Drivers Guides were developed in collaboration with academics and some of the UK’s pre-eminent experts in road safety, and provide clear warnings on the dangers posed by passenger distractions, mobile phones, alcohol, drugs and speeding.

The easy-to-read guides also contain practical advice on matters such as avoiding huge insurance premiums, what to do in advance of your test – and even buying your first car.

Bill Pope, Head of Publishing with the DVSA, said: “DVSA’s priority is to guide you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Driving test centres are a great place for road safety officers and Good Egg Drivers to give young motorists extra help to stay safe on the roads.”

The Good Egg new drivers initiative has received backing from throughout the motoring industry, including Arnold Clark, Veygo by Admiral, Biffa, and the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM).

Jean-Baptiste Limare, Head of Veygo, a provider of on-demand insurance for learner and new drivers, said: "It is still the case that new drivers are involved in far too many road traffic accidents.

"The team at Veygo are passionate about road safety - and we're thrilled to support this initiative. Hopefully going forward, Good Egg will be able to expand this pilot to every test centre in the UK – and we can begin to turn the tide on the huge number of crashes on our roads.”

Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director with IAM RoadSmart, said: “As a learner taking on board the right information and getting as much useful experience as possible are the keys to a long driving career.

"In this guide you can learn about the key risks that new drivers can face and how to deal with them. Use it to make sure that your on-road time with instructor or parents hits the right targets and prepares you for real world driving on our busy and stressful British roads.”

Dave West, Regional SHEQ Coach at leading national recycling and waste management provider Biffa, stated: “Our involvement with this project is a natural progression from our highly successful Driving Recklessly on Pavements (DRoPs) campaign - featured in the Good Egg guide - which highlights the dangers posed to both waste collection operatives and members of the public when drivers mount the pavement to get around refuse collection vehicles.

“There is still much for young drivers to learn even when they have passed their test, and the information provided in the Good Egg guide will be invaluable in helping them become accomplished, safe and considerate motorists – and so reducing the unacceptably high number of accidents involving this group of drivers.”

Good Egg Safety is headquartered in London and bids to be a comprehensive, helpful reference point that gives essential advice on all aspects of learning to drive, buying a car, getting on the road and staying safe.

The website www.goodeggdrivers.com offers accessible tips for new drivers on important information such as choosing the best instructor, passing the tests, insurance, the responsibilities of getting behind the wheel and how to keep that hard-earned licence.

Imagine winning a brand new car before you reach the age of twenty-one. Well that’s exactly what happened to Chantelle Hudson from North Lincolnshire after taking part in the Good Egg Drivers programme, a UK wide initiative that helps young people become better, safer drivers and teaches them how good driving can save on their costs too.

The 20-year-old was picked from thousands of entrants in the Good Egg young drivers’ competition and got the keys to her very own brand new, white Fiat 500 courtesy of Arnold Clark motors.

This amazing prize is part of a scheme to raise awareness of road safety issues which affect young drivers between the ages of 17-25 - a high risk group for road casualties. The course covers key topics such as choosing the best driving instructor, and tips and techniques for staying safe as a new driver or as a passenger worried about another young driver’s behavior. The workshops are interactive and engaging and the independent evaluations show them to be highly effective. It has proven very popular in both schools and colleges throughout the UK.

Jan James who runs the Good Egg Drivers initiative added: “We are delighted that Chantelle has won this great prize. Independent evaluation has underlined the effectiveness and importance of this programme in helping to tackle the unacceptably high number of young driver and passenger casualties on UK roads.

We had thousands of entries from young people this year and it is thanks to the generosity of our partners Arnold Clark that we can offer such a fantastic incentive for young people to engage in this potentially life-saving programme”

Eddie Hawthorne, Group Managing Director at Arnold Clark said:

‘It’s important to us to help raise awareness of young driver safety,that’s why we continuously support Good Egg with their new drivers initiative.  The scheme is a valuable learning resource for young people and I am delighted to see that a participant of the workshops was chosen as the winner of the Fiat 500, donated by Arnold Clark. I’d like to wish Chantelle many years of safe and happy motoring in her new vehicle.’

As part of her prize, Chantelle will also receive a year’s worth of free telematics insurance from MORE TH>N SM>RTWHEELS. They incentivise inexperienced drivers with cashback, rewarding consistent, safe driving behaviours and the company has given over £1,000,000 back to its customers since launch.

Ruth Gore, Safer Roads Humber said: Ruth Gore spokesperson for Safer Roads Humber said "The partnership is delighted that Chantelle has won the car following the visits from Good Egg. More importantly during 2016 over 527 young people benefitted from the Good Egg Young Drivers initiative, which was funded by Safer Roads Humber. Young people regardless if they are drivers or passengers in young drivers cars, can face a higher risk of being involved in a crash than other drivers.  We were extremely pleased with the way the students responded to the Good Egg events and the icing on the cake is for a local student to be the winner of the national competition."

After passing your test, and that sense of having your instructor watch your every move has dissipated, it can be easy to let standards slip and forget to do the basic things you were taught during your lessons.  This is where bad habits can set in and put you, and other drivers, at risk.

Check, check and check again

First of all, throughout our driving lessons we are constantly reminded to check all areas around the car before moving off – back left, left mirror, rear view mirror, right mirror and back right. Once you get more comfortable with your surroundings it can become all to easy to neglect to run through these checks.  Forgetting to check your blind spot can result in serious accidents occurring.  When coming on to a motorway, changing lanes or pulling out of a parking space, your blind spot should always be checked for vehicles, cyclists and even pedestrians to avoid major accidents.

Indicate

The next habit drivers can get into is forgetting about that little stick behind your steering wheel – your indicator.  This causes irritation to drivers around you and can also be the cause of accidents.  If you don’t tell other cars where you are going, how are they supposed to know?  When changing lanes at a junction, or pulling out from a parked position, you should always use your indicator and make people
aware of your intentions.

Keep your distance

Driving instructors teach us allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front. On wet roads this should be atleast doubled and increased further on icy roads.  Not long after passing our tests this is likely to be forgotten about, but tailgating is not only frustrating for both drivers involved, but it can also be dangerous.  If the driver in front decides to slam on their brakes, then not only do you go into the back of them, but this is legally your fault.  Keeping a safe distance is important when driving.

 Top up your fuel

Driving can be expensive, with outgoings including insurance, maintenance, the car and above all, the fuel.  There is a lot of choice out there and many new drivers may want to get the most out of every tank, however it can be extremely damaging to your car to be driving on empty. The sediment (dirt) from your fuel settles at the bottom of the tank so when you drive on an almost empty tank, you force this dirt to run through your car.  This can cause problems with your engine.  It may seem like you are making the most of your money but in reality this could end up costing you more.

These are many more bad habits that new drivers could pick up as they begin driving independently.  It is important to remember what you have been taught and why, as safety should be your priority at all times when driving.