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High demand sees relaunch of driving scheme for 10-17-year olds in Crewe

A driver training course which allows 10-year olds to get behind the wheel in a bid to create a safer next generation of drivers is relaunching in Crewe thanks to high demand for lessons.

Young Driver has previously provided driving lessons for local 10-17-year olds in the car park of the Crewe Alexandra Stadium and at MMU Cheshire but had to stop for logistical reasons. Due to high demand from local youngsters the lessons will restart at the stadium on Sunday 24th January. 

The car park will be transformed into a realistic road system on selected weekend dates so youngsters can work on a range of driving skills and manoeuvres. Lessons are taking place with the appropriate Covid-19 safety measures in place, and should they need to be cancelled due to illness, self-isolation or lockdown, they can be rebooked for a later date. 

Young Driver is the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving lessons, having delivered 900,000 lessons at 70 venues across the UK. Youngsters have lessons in a brand new, dual controlled Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium with a highly qualified approved driving instructor. 

A road system is created, with traffic signs, roundabouts and junctions, along with special areas to practice manoeuvres. The emphasis of the lessons is on safety and fun and encouraging youngsters to drive responsibly, giving them time to perfect driving skills such as gear changes, braking and steering without the pressures of public roads.  

Shockingly, one in five newly qualified drivers crashes within six months of passing their test. Only eight per cent of drivers are aged 17 – 24 and yet they account for a worrying 30 per cent of people who are killed in cars every year. But for those who have taken a Young Driver course, the average rate of accidents in that worrying first six months drops by more than a half, to fewer than one in ten.  

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: “We are really excited to be re-launching at Crewe Alexandra. It’s a great venue, providing plenty of space for youngsters to try out lots of different driving skills and techniques – whether they’re a beginner or have already had a few lessons. At the moment it’s great to be able to offer a fun activity that young people can still safely take part in, as so much has been cancelled for them. 

“Clearly something needs to be done to tackle the seriously high accident rates of our young drivers. Training drivers over a longer period of time allows youngsters to have a solid understanding of how to drive a car before they get anywhere near a real road. But the lessons are also lots of fun and they’re a great general confidence boost for teens and pre-teens, who take the responsibility very seriously.” 

Current confirmed dates Young Driver will be running at Crewe Alexandra Stadium are 24th January, 28th February and 27th March. Driving tuition is available for disabled youngsters. Thirty or sixty-minute lessons must be booked in advance and prices start from £32.99. 

Safety procedures are currently in place to protect both pupils and instructors, including the wearing of masks, social distancing and regular hand and vehicle sanitisation. Detailed instructions are sent to customers by email ahead of their lesson. 

For more information, to book a lesson or to buy vouchers visitwww.youngdriver.com or call 0333 577 9010. 

Young Driver was established in 2009 with the aim of helping to teach youngsters to drive over a longer period, therefore encouraging a safer generation of new drivers at 17. The scheme is sponsored by Vauxhall and is the only driving school in the UK to offer carbon negative driving lessons.  

Anyone aged 10 and over and above 1.42 metres tall can get behind the wheel of a brand new dual controlled Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium car with a fully qualified ADI driving instructor. Lessons take place on private property which has been developed into a realistic road system complete with road signs, junctions and car parks. A free 36 page Drive Diary helps each pupil to monitor progress. More than 900,000 lessons have now been delivered and there are more than 70 venues to choose from across the UK. 

All Drive Diaries and leaflets are printed on carbon capture paper and Young Driver’s office only uses Woodland Trust FSC paper.  

Young Driver Motor Cars Ltd, a subsidiary of Young Driver, launched Firefly, the world’s first electric cars developed specially for 5-10 year olds, in September 2016. These cars are available to drive throughout the year at selected venues.  

Driving experiences for 10-17s (and adults) are also available in three classic cars - a Vauxhall VX490, Morris Minor or Austin 7, along with a genuine ex-service fire engine.  

For more information log on to www.youngdriver.com or call 0333 577 9010 

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