NEWS ARCHIVE
Young Driver Education Programme at Duchy
Duchy College was host to a Driver Awareness Day on Friday 30th January, run by Cornwall County Council's Young Drivers Education Programme. Its aim is to reduce and prevent injury and death on our roads and to assist young people in the many aspects of motoring, such as how to make good decisions when buying your first car.
The statistics behind the need for such education days are alarming: one in five drivers has a collision in the first year after passing their driving test. Unfortunately the actors, who were due to open the day with a thought provoking production based on real life, were ill and so the day began with a poignant poem being read and a brief introduction by Jane Coumbe, the college nurse. This was followed by activity-based workshops with talks, role play, problem solving exercises and videos, led by safety professionals and the police.
Subjects covered included including peer pressure, alcohol and drugs, legal responsibilities, what to do if there is an accident and the costs of motoring. Students were given an evaluation form so the organisers will have feedback on their reactions to the day.
Nichola Southwell, event organiser from the Duchy College, said that all the students attending the day are either young drivers, are learning to drive or intend to in the future.: "Over 100 students attended the day which we believe to be a very worthwhile exercise, if it prevents even one injury or death." Organiser Carol Wright from Cornwall County Council's Road Safety Unit said "We have received positive comments wherever we have taken the roadshow."
