RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

July 12, 2004
ENCOURAGING DRIVERS TO TAKE MORE TRAINING

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is looking for the best ways to persuade people to take extra driver training in the years after they have passed their test.

Refresher training helps people to improve their driving and reduce the likelihood of crashing, but little is known about why most people never bother to take such courses.

A recent review of the Government’s road safety strategy identified the need to encourage more drivers to broaden, advance or refresh their skills and to promote driving as a life skill.

Now RoSPA, with support from the Department for Transport, is aiming to identify what schemes are available and how people can be persuaded to use them. They are valuable because experienced motorists often build bad habits into their driving without realising it.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: “Poor driving is the major reason for crashes, yet only a tiny proportion of motorists ever look for ways to improve their standards behind the wheel.

“We want to know what prompts that minority to undertake training and what puts other people off the idea. We also want to learn more about all the schemes that are available and if people are aware of them.”

Drivers who have undertaken further driver training and those who have not will be interviewed. The findings will be used to find out how more people can be encouraged to take refresher training and the best ways to promote it.

People providing post-test voluntary refresher or advanced driving courses (excluding Pass Plus, Driver Improvement, Drink Drive Rehabilitation, Speed Awareness and fleet driver training) are asked to send their details to: Kevin Clinton, RoSPA, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST, or to kclinton@rospa.com