---

Roads: Young People

Answer

Reducing accidents involving 14 to 18 year-old road users is a key issue for the department. Currently a variety of organisations, including the department, the Driving Standards Agency, local authorities, schools, the police and fire services, and voluntary bodies provide educational initiatives aimed at improving the safety of young people on Britain’s roads. No central record of initiatives or activities is maintained. The department believes there is considerable variability in the nature, quality, content and provision of these road safety education initiatives aimed at young people. In 2007, the department published the results from a one-off survey of pre-driver education provision in local authorities and other organisations in 2006-07. This survey, available at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme2/predrivereducationsurvey.pdf found that a number of pre-driver education initiatives had not been evaluated. The department also published a review of the literature on the effectiveness of pre-driver education, available at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme2/predrivereducation.pdf. The research found that generally there was limited evidence of the effectiveness of pre-driver education. In order to develop a strategic framework for road safety education for children and young people, the department has recently commissioned a project to review existing materials and then produce a comprehensive set of road safety educational material. It is intended that these resources will cover everything from the time young people first start using the roads to becoming drivers, for all age groups.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5201; 703 c330WA

Session

2007-08

Notes

Answer received between Tuesday 5 August and Monday 11 August 2008

Subjects

Education Young people Safety Roads

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk