Young Dales motorists get cash boost to improve road skills
25 January 2010
Derbyshire Dales District Council is part-funding an incentive scheme that slashes by 85% the cost of a typical skills test – and has the potential to save lives.
It means drivers and motorcyclists aged 17-25 who live in the Derbyshire Dales and sign up before 31 March this year will pay £19 – about the same price as a chrome exhaust trim, a pack of cheap wheel trims or a customised gear knob.
Derbyshire Dales District Council will contribute £70 and the Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership £50 to subsidise any young driver or rider from the Derbyshire Dales who joins the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) with the intention of being assessed.
In addition to safety benefits – advanced drivers are 25% less likely to be involved in a road accident – active membership of IAM or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) can drive down the cost of car insurance.
The incentive scheme is being backed by 24-year-old Nick Eyley, the first ambassador for young and inexperienced drivers in the Derbyshire Dales.
The former student at Bakewell’s Lady Manners School represents the views of younger motorists on the local IAM group. Nick, who passed his IAM test in the summer of 2008 and has already saved £305 in insurance premiums, said: "I welcome this initiative because, despite the obvious benefits of getting involved in advanced driving, cost can be an issue for many younger motorists. This funding definitely puts young people back in the driving seat.”
Matlock IAM group secretary Bill Storey said: “The recent cold snap has tested the driving skills of young and old alike, with many struggling to handle dangerous conditions created by snow and ice.
“We are conscious treacherous winter roads were a new experience for younger drivers in particular and we welcome the intervention of Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership in making our roads skills package more accessible. This initiative has the potential to save lives”
Derbyshire Dales District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, who is also Chair of the Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership, said: “This initiative is part of our support for local voluntary groups. Road safety in the Derbyshire Dales is a key concern for us and we are in favour of advanced driving as taught by both IAM and RoSPA.
“While the Derbyshire Dales is an extremely safe place to live, work and visit in terms of having one of the lowest crime rates in the whole of the UK, we know from statistics that roads in the Dales can be among the most dangerous in the county.
“Unfortunately younger drivers and riders are at greater risk of being involved in incidents than other motorists – that is why we are offering an incentive payment to help them improve their skills.”
Robert Hill, Derby & Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership’s Partnership Development Manager said: “Our £50 discount is available county-wide both through IAM and RoSPA and I am delighted the District Council have made advanced driving and riding an even more attractive proposition in the Derbyshire Dales.
“Derbyshire has been extremely successful in reducing deaths and casualties on the roads. It has achieved this success by working with motorcyclists especially to educate them about safe riding.”
For details of skills tests available locally, contact IAM on 01629 812732. If you are a Derbyshire Dales resident aged 17-25, refer to the Derbyshire Dales Young Motorists’ Incentive Scheme.