Winter warning for young motorists

29 October 2008

'Play it safe this winter' - that's the message Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership is delivering to young and inexperienced motorists as temperatures fall and the nights draw in.

Until the end of the year, partnership representatives will be out and about most Friday and Saturday nights talking to motorists in their teens and early twenties. The team - which is made up of fire service and police staff - will be travelling around Derbyshire giving safety advice to young motorists and warning them about increased police patrols and speed checks.

Partnership manager Robert Hill said: "Last year nearly a quarter of the people killed or injured on our roads were either drivers aged between 17 and 25 or their passengers. Our mission is to make sure that these inexperienced drivers know what how to stay safe when it's dark and icy on the roads."

Robert added: "We will be telling the young drivers we meet about Pass Plus - a driving course aimed at motorists who have passed their test within the last 12 months and want to develop their skills. The training was devised by the Driving Standards Agency and is available through local driving instructors.

"Some insurance companies offer discounts to people who complete the course allowing people to save money and stay safe."

The speed checks and patrols being publicised by the partnership team form part of Operation Safe Drive. Launched by Derbyshire police earlier this month, the operation will involve both marked and unmarked vehicles and will run until the end of the year.

The young motorcyclists that the partnership team talk to on their travels will be offered free hi-vis waistcoats as well as advice. 

Andy Adlington, the partnership's motorcycle project officer, said: "Crash figures show that winter spells trouble for young riders. We want to give them a helping hand. 

"Riding in dark, wintry conditions poses more of a challenge to young riders because they lack experience. Our free reflective clothing will ensure they can be seen clearly by other motorists."

The partnership will also be visiting the following college sites to hand out free hi-vis waistcoats to student motorcyclists:

  • Chesterfield College's town centre campus - Tuesday 11 November
  • Chesterfield College's Clowne campus - Thursday 13 November
  • South East Derbyshire College's Kirk Hallam campus - Friday 14 November.