Tuesday 20th November 2012



To the relief of many a parent in Derbyshire, cut-price training that helps 17-20 year olds to become better drivers is now being offered by Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership.

Young drivers will get £60 off the cost of Pass Plus training - in exchange for attending a two-hour road safety workshop. The free evening workshops are held in Derby and Bakewell. The discount is being promoted through a radio and newspaper advertising campaign.

Partnership Chairman Mike Ashworth said: "Life is tough for young drivers - on today's busy roads, one in five drivers crash within 12 months of passing their test. Pass Plus training can help you stay safe and could drive down your insurance costs.

"Pass Plus training helps new drivers to cope with the challenges they'll face on the road with greater confidence. Topics covered include motorway, town and country driving as well as night and all-weather driving."

Councillor Ranjit Banwait, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Streetpride at Derby City Council, added, "After you have passed your driving test you might feel a little nervous about driving by yourself. That's when Pass Plus is of great help.

"Doing a Pass Plus course will give new drivers the experience that otherwise would take a long time to acquire. In very challenging economic times, with increasing financial challenges being placed on our young people, Pass Plus can also help to reduce car insurance premiums or even get an extra no-claims bonus."

Pass Plus was devised by the Driving Standards Agency. Driving instructors charge students between £120 and £180 for the training, which consists of six one-hour lessons.

To claim your Pass Plus discount, call 01332 641778 or email roadsafety@derby.gov.uk

One young student who has already been through the scheme can't praise it highly enough. Jessica Austin, (pictured below) a textile design student, says she feels much more confident on the roads since completing Pass Plus Extra.



The nineteen year-old from Ashbourne believes that the training helps new drivers to make safe decisions by guiding them through challenges such as driving in poor weather, at night and in a busy town centre.

Jessica, who is studying at Nottingham Trent University, said, "Luckily, I learned to drive in the winter, so I already had some experience of driving in the dark and in bad weather. For me the best thing about Pass Plus was having my instructor there when I drove on the motorway for the first time.

"It's harder to judge distances when you're travelling at high speeds, but she taught me how much space to leave between me and the car in front. She also helped me to be more aware of everything going on around me by scanning the road ahead and using my rear-view mirrors effectively."

Jessica also praised the Pass Plus Extra workshop which gives young drivers the opportunity to discuss different attitudes towards driving. She said: "What we learnt was shocking but in a good way. We watched films about the events leading up to a crash and it made me think 'I'm never going to drive like that'.

"I've recommended Pass Plus Extra to some of my friends who lack confidence behind the wheel - it helps you to improve your skills so you can stay safe."

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