Cross Keys students enjoy ‘Megadrive’

About 140 students from Cross Keys College recently took part in ‘Megadrive’ at the local Risca Leisure Centre.

Megadrive is a pre-driver education experience organised by a partnership of local statutory and voluntary associations. Megadrive was devised in Gwent in 1995 and has since taken place in all Welsh Police areas and several in England. In 1997 Megadrive won the prestigious Prince Michael of Kent Road Safety Award.

Groups of three students visited ‘interactive workstations’ where for 15 minutes they learned vital information on driving related topics. These included: hazard awareness, essential documents, crash causation, effects and consequences of drink and drugs, buying a new or second-hand car, and what to do at the scene of a crash. The workstation most enjoyed by the students was practical driving in which they drove a Vauxhall Corsa around a special course, accompanied by an approved driving instructor (ADI).

"Megadrive aims to make sure that young people appreciate the responsibility of holding a driving licence," said Penny Thorpe, principal road safety officer with Capita Gwent Consultancy. "They work hard to gain it, we want them to keep it - and keep it clean!"

"I'd recommend everyone to do this before they apply for their provisional driving licence," said 17 year old Charlotte Lloyd. "You get a taste of how it really is."