This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funds to train young drivers
12/02/2007
Young motorists are to be given discounts of up to 90 per cent off the cost of advanced driver training in a bid to cut the number of tragedies on Scotland's roads, it was announced today.
Pass Plus training gives new drivers advanced tuition in safe driving, covering potential dangers such as driving in town, driving in all weathers, driving at night, and driving on rural roads, dual carriageways and motorways.
Initially the Executive funding will be available for a six month period in three pilot areas - Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. These areas have the highest fatal accident rates in Scotland involving car drivers aged 17-25.
In these areas, the Executive will work alongside the three councils who currently offer discounts for Pass Plus.
Today's announcement now means that young people in the pilot areas can enrol on the £150 course for as little as £15.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"It has been sadly all too evident over recent weeks that road safety messages, particularly among our young drivers, still need to be heard.
"Campaigns in our schools and communities up and down the country are doing a good job in educating people, young and old, to the potential for tragedy every time they get into a vehicle. But with every fatality we must ask ourselves is there any more we can do to help our young drivers.
"Experts will tell you that there is no substitute for experience.
"Whether it be driving at night, driving in difficult weather conditions or driving on motorways, new drivers can often find themselves in hazardous situations they don't know how to cope with. Pass plus ensures they have that added experience.
"Young drivers in the North East can now get lifesaving additional training at a fraction of the cost. It can not only save lives, but can also reduce the amount they will have to pay in insurance premiums because the country's insurers realise the value of experience.
"It is clear that too many young lives are being lost needlessly. I hope this pilot encourages young people across the North East to enrol in this vital training."
Leslie Harrold, Grampian Police Road Safety Manager said:
"Pass Plus is an excellent scheme for newly qualified drivers. It offers them the opportunity to develop their driving skills further and drive in situations that they most likely did not face during their normal driving lessons.
"It is a scheme I would recommend to anyone who is learning to drive or who has recently passed their driving test. It should make them a more competent driver and offer them the chance to get cheaper motor insurance, once they have completed the scheme. I wish it had been available when I learned to drive."
Background:
The Executive has agreed to pay up to £75 of the cost of young people between the ages of 17 and 25 who complete Pass Plus training in the three pilot areas. With the councils of Moray, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire currently offering varying discounts, today's announcement means that young people can now benefit from the £150 course for as little as £15.
Pass Plus is an existing initiative by the Driving Standards Agency. It gives new drivers who have recently passed their test additional driver training. The additional experience can also give those who pass to course substantial discounts on their insurance rates. These aspects are not covered in the standard driving test. Around 100,000 new drivers take Pass Plus every year in Great Britain. The UK Government and the DSA are currently reviewing the driver training and testing regime.
A number of insurance companies offer reduced premiums to drivers who have completed Pass Plus.
Grampian Police area, which covers Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Councils was chosen as the initial pilot area because it has the highest fatal accident rate in Scotland involving car drivers aged 17-25 years old. The pilot will initially run for a period of six months.