A New Initiative for Novice Drivers

100 driving instructors are set to drive home a new safety initiative has been launched on Merseyside.  Engage is a ground breaking safety initiative for novice drivers launched by the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership; a collaboration between Merseyside Police, the 5 local authorities and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

The inititiative aims to deliver a high standard of driving tuition to novice drivers across Merseyside. One hundred driving instructors have received specialist training to deliver learner-centred coaching to better equip novice drivers with skills to identify and deal with hazards on the roads. Among the topics to be covered in the scheme are:- distraction, influence of others, fatigue, speed, drink and drugs, medication and seatbelts.

These are all factors that Merseyside Police see as contributing to the number of people killed and injured on the roads every year. In addition to in-car discussions between the instructor and student, learners will complete exercises between lessons and attend an evening workshop held by Merseyside Police and local authority road safety officers to reinforce their learning and highlight the potential dangers faced by new drivers. There will also be workshops aimed at parents and guardians to inform them about ENGAGE and the advantages of the scheme to their families. The 1st session will take place at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Crosby Coastal Park, Waterloo at 10am on Wednesday, 16 May 2012.

Sgt Paul Mountford from Merseyside Police Roads Policing Department has played a key role in the launch of this initiative. He said:- "ENGAGE is a new, exciting approach that looks to set a higher standard for driver education to improve road safety for novice drivers of all ages across Merseyside. It also places an expectation on parents and guardians of young drivers to involve themselves in the process. As a parent myself, I know what it feels like to see a son or daughter drive away from home for the first time after they have passed their driving test and the stress and worry, waiting for them to return. I would say to other parents to ask themselves how important is the safety of your son or daughter? ENGAGE not only gives new drivers the skills to pass their driving test but equips them with the knowledge and confidence to drive on their own and the ability to deal with various situations safely."

Chief Inspector John Hogan, head of Merseyside Police's Roads Policing Department, added:- "Road safety is not just the responsibility of the emergency services and local authorities. This scheme, with the involvement of driving instructors and parents, is a significant step towards improving driver education and as a result seeing safer roads in Merseyside. We do not want any families to suffer the pain and heartache that follows a road death and we welcome initiatives that reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads."

Dave Foulkes, manager of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, said:- "Novice drivers are too often involved in a collision within a short time of passing their test. This initiative is trying to widen the learning process and prepare drivers for their transition into independent driving after receiving their full licence. Anything that lessens the risks faced by novice drivers must be a good thing."

Gill Roberts, St Helens Council's senior road safety officer, added:- "Most learner drivers pass the test and miss having their driving instructor sitting with them. By learning to drive through the learner-centred coaching method, they will take responsibility for their own actions before taking the driving test and therefore cope with situations when they are on their own."