Luiza MorrellStudy after study continually shows that young people are most at risk of being killed or seriously injured on the roads, but a council-led initiative aims to change that for up to 300 young drivers in York.
The Momentum course, in association with the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM), usually costs £40 per person, but due to the City of York Council’s successful bid for wider social and economic benefits to the city, increased sustainable modes of transport and improved road safety, it will be subsidised through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
The council is the first local authority to offer this free course, aimed at young drivers aged 17-26, who live or work in York and have already passed their basic driving test. There is no exam, and no risk of failure, instead the test consists of two modules: an interactive online assessment and an on-road session with an IAM examiner.
The scheme will run over the next two years, and as a young driver myself, who has only recently passed her driving test, I can see the benefits of having further guidance by a trained instructor in your own car.
Councillor Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “We are the first ever local authority to sign-up to this scheme with IAM and are really setting a precedent here. I encourage young York drivers to contact the council as soon as possible and take advantage of this free course, as it’s a first come first served basis.”
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “This initiative is a good example of the way councils can work in partnership with voluntary organisations to provide services that are increasingly more difficult to provide amidst budget cuts. York council recognises the importance of safe driving and the safety of young drivers.”
