RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
July 7, 2004
SEEKING BRITAIN’S BEST YOUNG DRIVERS
The hunt is on to find the best young drivers in Britain.
The competition, organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Advanced Drivers Association, is aimed at drivers up to 24 years-old – the group most at risk on our roads. Prizes will include Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) motor insurance vouchers to the value of £2,500, plus training and competition licence to race in Uniroyal Team Challenge at a major UK circuit.
Bob Smalley, RoSPA’s Chief Driving Examiner, said: “Young drivers are most at risk of death and serious injury. This competition will allow them to have their driving assessed by an expert and learn how they can improve so that they are less likely to have accidents. But they will also be testing their ability against others of their age.”
Regional heats, sponsored by CIS, will be held by RoSPA advanced driving groups in August and October at Toyota GB venues throughout the UK. The dates are: Scotland (Hamilton) August 7; North East (Teeside) August 8; North West (Bolton) August 14; South West/Wales (Bristol) August 15; South West (Plymouth) August 21; Midlands (Coventry) August 22; South East (St Ives, Cambs) October 2; and London (St Albans) October 3. Entrants can choose the venue most suitable for them.
Forty regional winners and runners-up will go through to the final at the Silverstone Circuit on October 17. As well as a road test, they will undergo skid training, a manoeuvrability exercise and a Highway Code test. There will be a special section for teenage drivers.
It is the thirteenth year of the competition, which was founded through the Catherine Kenyon Trust Young Driver of the Year. RoSPA’s and CIS’ growing involvement means that this is the second time that regional events have been organised.
To pre-register for a regional heat, all that drivers need to do is to go to www.youngdriver.org.uk. Entrants will be assessed by a half-hour drive on public roads. All vehicles must be in a roadworthy condition and accompanied with all appropriate documentation.
CIS is backing the event as part of its ‘responsible driving’ campaign, the aim of which is to reduce the number of young people killed on Britain’s roads each year.
The event is also supported by Red Bull, Moat House Hotels, DAS, Mintex and Autoglym.
