Welsh students benefit from Megadrive

Around 150 students from Coleg Gwent at Ebbw Vale recently took part in ‘Megadrive’ - a pre-driver education experience organised by a partnership of local statutory and voluntary groups. Megadrive was devised in Gwent in 1995 and has since taken place in all Welsh Police areas and several in England. In 1997 it won a Prince Michael of Kent Road Safety Award.

Groups of students visited interactive workstations where they learned vital information on driving related topics including: 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 most popular workstation, however, was a practical driving experience around a special course accompanied by an approved driving instructor.

"I am studying for the theory test at the moment and this will be a real help," said 17 year old Ryan Dix.

Another 17 year old attendee, Justin Morgan, said: "Megadrive is great fun. It's good experience for people of my age - I think everyone should do it."

Bob Collier, general manager at Coleg Gwent, Ebbw Vale Campus said: "This is a really good scheme. The students get information from experts that otherwise they would only find out when it is too late. Megadrive will make them safer drivers and should save them money."

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

For further information about Megadrive contact Penny Thorpe at Capita Gwent Consultancy, 01633 463376/07818 036 935.