15 and 16 year olds gain driving experience

Under-17s are being given a chance to get behind the wheel in an AA Driving School-sponsored six day course at the Royal showground at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 25th October.

The Pathfinder course aims to introduce youngsters to the essential driving skills and knowledge needed to enjoy a safe driving career. It is open to 15 and 16 year olds and 50 youngsters will be taking part, each with a parent.

Students will drive their own family's car and need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. They will be given expert tuition from Pathfinder (an educational trust inspired and set up by custodians of the Under 17 Car Club), and AA Driving School instructors who will also be offering one-to-one tuition in Driving School cars.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Driving School, points to the success of the Under 17 Car Club in preparing young people for driving. "Nationally, one in five young people are involved in a crash during their first year of driving, compared with 1 in 12 of those who have gone through the Under 17 Car Club. In addition, the conviction rate for young men passing through the Club is 22.2 per 1,000, compared with 144 per 1,000 nationally.

"I have no doubt that the Pathfinder course will help youngsters start their driving career responsibly and equipped with advanced safe driving skills they will never forget."

The venue

The private show grounds at Stoneleigh include extensive open areas criss-crossed by metalled roads. Traffic lights, roundabouts, one-way roads and manoeuvring areas are being set up to provide a simulated road network. Youngsters' progress will be carefully monitored throughout the six days in a combination of theory and practical driving.

Pathfinder runs 25th-27th October and 30th October-1st November inclusive, 09.30-16.30 daily (except Thursday 27th when the day is extended to include driving after dark)

The course is the first event in a proposed programme that is expected to be rolled out throughout the UK.

The event is organised by U17 Drivers Pathfinder Limited, an educational trust set up by the custodians of the Under 17 Car Club, which has taught more than 3,000 11-16 year olds to drive
Sponsors are AA Driving School, Jaguar Land Rover and, leading the initiative, Warwickshire County Council