The facts
Client:
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Location: Blackburn
Services: Road Safety Education
Sector: Road Safety
Start/Completion: 2008 - Ongoing
The project
The Pre-driver project is part of a
wide ranging, concerted effort to tackle the disproportionate
involvement of young drivers in road traffic
collisions.
The project is for young people aged 14-17
before they get to driving age. It is in these years that a
lot of values and attitudes are formed regarding the driving task
and it is these values and attitudes that this project aims to
influence amongst the passengers of today and the drivers of
tomorrow.
The Pre-driver project is a flexible
educational programme designed so that schools and colleges can
tailor-make the programme to suit their needs and curriculum
time. It concentrates on key themes such as risk and
consequences; drink and drug driving and inappropriate
speed. Each classroom based session can be delivered in a
variety of ways but are designed to provoke debate amongst
participants.
There are a wide variety of resources used
including hard-hitting DVD clips and time for group discussions and
tasks. In addition there is an option for participants to
have practical driving experience with experienced ADIs - off road,
(generally a school playground). There is insurance coverage
for young people from the age of 14 to take advantage of this
unique opportunity.
The project has been opened to all year 10 and
11 pupils in Blackburn with Darwen as well as community groups and
has been widely supported by the local press and the Director of
Children’s Services.
After extensive research and trials Capita
Symonds' Casualty Reduction Team developed and publicised the
scheme and launched it in August 2008. The programme will be
rolled out to all the Borough’s secondary schools in September
2008.
The Casualty Reduction Team will work with
schools to tailor-make and deliver the educational package and will
liaise with ADIs to provide the practical driving element for
participants. The scheme will also be fully evaluated by the
team.