- Commissioner to present certificates to 73 new Drive iQ graduates
- Online course is specifically designed for novice and newly-qualified drivers
- Biggest threat to young people is in a car
- More than 40 Gloucestershire schools and colleges now engaged in programme
Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl will be the guest of honour at a special school prize giving.
He will present certificates to 73 year-12 students aged 16-17 who successfully completed the Gloucestershire version of the Drive iQ safer driving course at Newent Community School (Tuesday 22 March).
They are the latest graduates of the county’s ground-breaking online programme funded through the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership to promote safe and social driving.
Mr. Surl said,
“There are now 41 schools and colleges engaged in Drive iQ Gloucestershire and a total of 1,862 students registered. That amounts to a third of the Year 12 population and is a fantastic reflection of how the programme has taken off.
“What makes these figures gratifying is that many, if not all, of these young people will more than likely find themselves behind the wheel of a vehicle before very long.
“The prospect is an exciting one for them but it’s also fraught with danger because the biggest threat to young people is in a car. I’m pleased they not only recognise that, but that they are also taking advantage of the opportunity Drive iQ offers for better training”.
Safe and social driving and Helping young people become responsible adults are two of the PCC’s priorities. As well as completing the course, students have been taking part in a further 12 weeks of road safety education which started in January and will run through until Easter.
Gloucestershire’s Chief Fire Officer Stewart Edgar, who is also the priority lead for Safe and social driving said,
“Drive iQ is a well-researched and dynamic education online platform specifically designed for novice and newly-qualified drivers.
“It is available free of charge but the benefits are priceless because it cannot be stressed enough that the riskiest thing a teenager will most likely do is get behind the wheel after they pass their test.
“Probably the second riskiest thing is being a passenger in a car driven by a new young driver because it has been scientifically proven that the part of a young person’s brain responsible for assessing risk, anticipating danger, eye scanning and impulse doesn’t fully develop until their early to mid-twenties.
“We need to do all we can to help protect them during this vulnerable period”.
