Campaign launched to reduce road deaths involving young drivers

Government statistics released today show that in 2005 1,297 people died and a further 11,535 were seriously injured in crashes involving a driver or rider aged 15 to 25 which equates to 35 deaths and serious injuries every day.

But whilst the Government currently considers proposals for reforming young driver training which if implemented will make road safety education part of the national curriculum.

Co-operative Insurance (CIS), in partnership with Brake the road safety charity, are going straight into UK classrooms with a powerful new education resource pack for schools and colleges aimed at reducing the number of young people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads.

Launched across the UK today (20th February) the Too Young To Die resource pack is available to all educators’ and includes a hard-hitting DVD and accompanying hand-out booklets plus a Department for Transport-backed presentation.

The pack is designed as a comprehensive resource to help educators run lessons for 15-21 year-olds to raise awareness on how to stay alive on the roads, and encourage them to act responsibly as drivers and passengers. The pack outlines basic safe driving rules, such as not speeding, not driving after drinking or taking drugs, not driving while tired or on a mobile phone and also gives practical advice about vehicle maintenance.

It shows young people why these rules are so crucial and contains first-hand accounts of the horrors of road crashes, from people who have been tragically bereaved or injured as a result.

It includes:

a hard-hitting Too Young to Die DVD, which features interviews with people bereaved in young driver crashes, accident and emergency surgeons, fire officers and paramedics;

handout copies of the Too Young to Die booklet a new resource for students to take away and keep as their guide to staying alive on the road – designed to be handed out after being shown the DVD;

instructions on downloading a free powerpoint presentation on Brake’s website (funded by the Department for Transport), which can be used on interactive whiteboards or using a computer and projector as part of a lesson incorporating the DVD.

David Neave, CIS Director of General Insurance said: “We believe that education is key to reducing the number of young people killed on our roads each year and that is why we are delighted to have worked with Brake to produce the Too Young to Die education packs, to build on the success of the Too Young to Die DVD. This initiative provides an ideal opportunity to target and educate a significant number of those most at risk – the young and inexperienced”.

“As a responsible insurer we are committed to improving road safety, unfortunately the consequences of irresponsible driving are too often seen. The impact of serious road traffic crashes not only affects peoples’ lives but also has a considerable affect on future premium levels. We have a duty to try and prevent future losses which in turn will make motor insurance more affordable, especially for young inexperienced drivers”.

Jools Townsend, Head of Education at Brake, said: “Too many young people think they are invincible and fail to consider how their dangerous actions behind the wheel can kill and maim themselves, their friends and other road users”.

“It’s essential that we target secondary school and college students with practical, and potentially life-saving, information on safe driving. We hope the Too Young to Die education packs will make a big difference, by teaching young people about the tragic consequences of dangerous driving and the principles of staying safe as both a driver and a passenger”.

“Brake would welcome Government proposals to introduce road safety education as a compulsory part of the national curriculum but we would also like to see the urgent introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) to break the learning to drive process into several stages, so novice drivers develop their skills and experience gradually over time”.