Robert Earnshaw, Wales and Cardiff City soccer star, launches the Daewoo Young Driver Challenge

RoSCOW and DAEWOO launch young driver challenge

A desire to improve the practical driving skills of young people in Wales is behind the launch of a new road safety initiative, the Daewoo Young Driver Challenge, organised by the Road Safety Council of Wales.

In 2002, 2844 car occupants aged 17-24 years were killed or injured on Welsh roads. The Challenge is setting out to reduce this toll by providing young drivers with practical help and advice, and by building the driving skills necessary for today’s busy road environment. The successful Challenge candidate will win a Daewoo Matiz plus a year’s free insurance.

The Daewoo Challenge has been developed to provide young drivers with four distinct road safety related elements. Phase 1 - the Challenge to Enter - requires the entrant to complete and return a simple questionnaire before 28 February. The questionnaire can also be completed online at www.roscow.org.uk/challenge.

Phase 2, the Challenge to Improve, provides 660 selected candidates with a free ‘Be a Better Driver’ training day, which includes both theory and practical sessions.

Two qualifiers from each of the 22 local authorities in Wales will be selected to go through to Phase 3, Challenge to Drive. This will involve a two-hour session with an advanced driving examiner from either RoSPA or the IAM. The Challenge committee will then select the final eight qualifiers.

Phase 4, the Challenge to Succeed, brings together the eight finalists for a better driving event at the police driving headquarters in Bridgend on Sunday 27 June. A further day of practical driving will be provided by experienced police drivers and all finalists will receive a prize - with one young driver taking away the Daewoo Matiz.

For further information contact Steve Baker, executive officer, Road Safety Council of Wales, 029 20250600, sbaker@rospa.com.