Half-Term Chance To Think About 'Arriving Alive'

With the first half-term holiday of 2009 here, schools and colleges are being urged to think about booking a road safety presentation aimed at preparing would-be drivers for the learning to drive process.

In 2007, 136 drivers aged 16-19 died in crashes. Another 130 were fatally injured in crashes involving vehicles in which they were passengers.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) - the Government Agency tasked with promoting and improving road standards - wants to put their Arrive Alive Road Safety Programme at the forefront of people's mind this half-term. Arrive Alive involves an experienced driving examiner giving a free 50-minute presentation to young people in the 16-19 age group.

Topics include learning to drive safely, information on the theory and practical driving tests and adopting the right attitudes towards the responsibilities of a driver after passing the test.

The presentation can be given at a range of locations such as youth clubs and Armed Forces centres, and is most popular in schools and colleges. Teachers can set up an Arrive Alive session by booking directly with DSA.

Chief executive, of the Driving Standards Agency, Rosemary Thew said: "It is a sad fact that one in five deaths on British roads involve newly-qualified drivers. They are certainly one of the most vulnerable groups out on the roads today.

"We want to tackle this problem by promoting road safety to young people not only when they are learning to drive or have just passed their test, but even before they have gone out on the road for the first time.

"That's why we are calling on all parents, teachers and guardians to take the time over half-term to think about booking one of DSA's Arrive Alive sessions. The presentation is free of charge, easy to arrange and could be a real life-saver."

(JM/KMcA)