Free driving courses for young drivers in May

Posted on May 9, 2014

Young drivers from across Central Bedfordshire and Luton are being encouraged to improve their driving knowledge and skills in May, as part of an initiative designed to reduce road casualties.

Places are now open for MORE 16 and MORE Drive courses on Sunday 18 May. The courses are free and the age range has now been extended to MORE Drive to include those up to 30 years old. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis on receipt of a completed application form, which can be requested by emailing [email protected].

The courses are funded by Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council, with delivery organised by highways contractor Amey.

MORE 16 is designed to give 16-year-olds their first experience of driving. Advice is also given to parents about choosing a driving instructor and how to help their teens when practising. A high-speed passenger ride with a Millbrook pro-driver with competition history in motorsport such as rallying or racing is available to all parents that attend.

For the first time, MORE Drive is now available for 17 to 30-year-olds who have already passed their driving test, increasing the upper age limit from 24 years. MORE Drive offers the chance to drive on a skid pan and experience ABS braking systems, as well as practising emergency stops at speed to demonstrate varying stopping distances.

Workshops covering driving skills, maintenance, distractions and safety will be run by the local authorities, Bedfordshire Police and Three Shires Driving School.

Councillor Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "The MORE 16 and MORE Drive courses are really popular and we have had great feedback from them. We're committed to reducing accidents where young people are killed or seriously injured and this education focus is working well.

"The courses are a great way for our young people to learn new skills and improve their driving ability. We are also delighted to be able to extend MORE Drive to drivers up to 30 years for the first time to increase their road safety awareness and driving abilities."

Sara Cannon, who attended the MORE 16 parents' workshop, said: "Many thanks for providing a well-run and thought-provoking course. Courses like this don't just happen and there will have been a lot of hard work behind the scenes to give all the participants (young and not so young) a really useful and memorable event."

Source: Ringmaster Bedfordshire