A new scheme could allow children as young as nine to sign up for driving lessons in an effort to improve road safety.
This comes as part of the Young Driver scheme, which specialises in providing lessons for juniors eager to get on the road. So far, accident rates among its graduates within the first six months of passing have been as low as 3.3%, well below the national average of 20%.
The scheme currently delivers 150,000 lessons per year across 72 sites around the UK. It’s open to a wide range of age groups up to 17 years old, with children aged between four and 10 being taught in a specially-made Firefly Sports EV. Some sessions for others are even provided in luxury vehicles, like the Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz SL 500 and the Caterham Seven.
The scheme has now been backed by car manufacturer Suzuki. Lessons provided by Young Driver will use 160 Swift Motion models equipped with dual controls, which will have a low environmental impact.
Ian Mulingani, Young Driver managing director, said: “The Swift stood head and shoulders above its other rivals. We’re now taking on a fleet that is significantly greener and more economical, easier to drive, better equipped, and will retain an excellent 55% of its value after three years.”
This follows the news of increased demand for Graduated Driving Licences, which could help reduce the number of young road users involved in accidents. Such licences would limit new drivers on things like speeds, passengers and the times of day they can drive for a given time period, much like the restrictions placed on new motorbike riders.
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