Staffordshire subsidises Pass Plus scheme for new drivers

As a result of the success of Fife Council’s Pass Plus scheme, Staffordshire County Council’s TravelWise Road Safety Unit has launched an initiative to encourage more new drivers to take up Pass Plus.

As part of a continuing drive to tackle the over representation of newly qualified drivers in casualty figures, the unit is subsidising the Driving Standards Agency’s Pass Plus Scheme by up to 50 per cent for newly qualified drivers. For as little as £54 Staffordshire’s new drivers can receive valuable experience on topics including motorways, dual carriageways, town/rural driving, and night and all weather driving.

Research carried out by Malcolm Jones - the unit’s TravelWise co-ordinator responsible for the Young Driver Education and Information programme (Y-DIE) - indicated that cost was one of the main factors preventing more drivers from taking up Pass Plus.

After consultation with a panel of DfT approved driver trainers, the cost of the six hour course was set at £108. Participating instructors agreed to donate one session fee of £18, resulting in a net cost of £90. This is made up of a £54 payment made by the student and £36 paid by the TravelWise Road Safety Unit.

"Tragically an 18 year old driver is more than three times as likely to be involved in a crash than a 48 year old driver," Malcolm Jones commented. "One of the main reasons for this is a lack of driving experience. The Pass Plus Scheme, which is recognised by most major insurance companies, will help some of the most vulnerable drivers to gain valuable experience in conditions and on roads where they will find themselves most at risk."

Press coverage of the launch was described as ‘very positive’ and the take up rate in the first month has been extremely encouraging.

Pictured are the first young drivers to benefit from inclusion in the scheme - 18 year old Faye Atkins and 17 year old Mark Knapton - with instructor Debbie Blake receiving their discount voucher from cllr John Wakefield, leader of development services.

Further information about the scheme can be obtained from Malcolm Jones, TravelWise road safety co-ordinator on 01785 276616.