Free lesson to help young South Yorkshire drivers stay safe on road

Road Ready has been launched by South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP)for drivers aged 17 to 24.

Delivered in partnership with AA company Drive Tech, Road Ready is a free one-and-a-half-hour session with a driving instructor that can be tailored to the young person’s needs.

Joanne Wehrle, manager of SYSRP, said: “Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, you may not have driven for a while or you may be getting ready to start driving in a new area for work or education.

“Road Ready is a great opportunity to get some extra time out on the roads with a qualified instructor who will adapt the lesson to your driving requirements.

“It’s completely free and part of the partnership’s work to support you after you have passed your test.”

Statistics show that drivers aged 17 to 24 remain more likely to be involved in a collision than any other age group.

Lack of experience, peer pressure and distractions are among the leading factors for the casualty statistics.

“Last year in South Yorkshire, we saw a nine per cent reduction in the number of young car users injured on our roads and we want to see this number continue to decrease,” said Joanne.

“Every young driver or passenger injured in a collision is someone’s son or daughter and we will continue to develop initiatives to protect them, and other road users, as much as possible.

“Our Road Ready sessions are completely free to any 17-to-24-year-old living in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, so we hope people will take up the offer.”

Ian Bint, national quality manager at DriveTech, said: “Whether it’s motorway or city driving, driving in different conditions, or a refresher of the basics, our experienced instructors will work with the drivers to meet their needs and to build on their experience since passing their test.”

Anyone who signs up will be entered into a free prize draw to win a go-karting session for four or a Meadowhall voucher.

To find out more or to sign up to Road Ready, visit www.drivetech.co.uk/road-ready/