Road safety award for "pioneering" qualification

Date: 27/10/2010

A qualification aimed at improving the road safety knowledge of teenagers has been honoured with an international accolade.

The course for 14 to 16-year-olds, which was developed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Scottish Qualifications Authority, will today (October 27th) receive a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

Named the Safe Road User Award, the qualification intends to give youngsters a solid grounding in driving before they are allowed to begin lessons.

Announcing the prize, Prince Michael said: "I am delighted to present this award. It is a pioneering and ingenious approach to senior school road safety education."

Jill Lewis, Director of Driver Education and Learning at the DSA, added the Safe Road User Award increases students' knowledge and awareness, as well as having the potential to save their lives.

A Cambridgeshire project also received one of the Prince Michael accolades earlier this month for decreasing the number of deaths and serious injuries on a stretch of the A14 through the use of average speed enforcement cameras.

Posted by Sarah Bailey