According to a survey, young people that have been involved in the driving initiative ‘Pathfinder’ have been found to be safer than their peers with a 1 in 17 first-year accident rate compared to 1 in 5.
Pathfinder, which is supported by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion through grant funding, is designed to reduce the number of road traffic incidents and collisions, and convictions, among the most vulnerable driving group (aged between 17 and 24).
This is done by working with the young people before they are 17 and in an environment where they can develop appropriate understanding of road risk, a positive attitude to road safety and the essential technical driving skills.
Not only does the course aim to reduce the number of collisions, it also reduces the number of convictions. Of the survey participants, only one driver (2%) had been convicted of a traffic offence compared with nearly 24% of all drivers nationally.
PCC John Campion said: “It is great news to hear that the Pathfinder scheme is having a positive impact on those that have taken part in it. Giving young people the opportunity to learn key driving skills in an environment like this is invaluable. There are far too many accidents involving young people happening on our roads. Through projects like Pathfinder we can tackle this problem together and increase driver competence, attitudes and understanding.”
Read the survey by clicking here.
Issued on: Tuesday 4th December
