February 1st 2014 marks the beginning of the month-long All Wales Young Driver Education and Enforcement Campaign.
Young drivers, aged 17 to 24, fall into a high risk category of those more likely to be involved in a collision. In 2012 young people represented 12 % of the population of Wales, but made up a 24% share of those killed or seriously injured on our roads.*
In an effort to raise awareness and improve road safety amongst young drivers, officers from our Roads Policing Unit will be taking an active part in the All Wales campaign by conducting numerous operations and initiatives across the Force area throughout February.
Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit will be attending schools sixth forms and colleges to deliver their “Licence to Kill” presentation. “Licence to Kill” outlines the potential dangers of being on the road, including; not wearing seatbelts, driving at excessive speed, careless driving, driving under the influence of drink and drugs and driving whilst distracted.
Officers will also be regularly patrolling areas where collisions have taken place previously, and where vehicles have been used in an anti-social manner. They will use this opportunity to speak and engage with young motorists and to spread the road safety message.
Additionally, the Roads Policing Unit has teamed up with the Institute of Advance Motorists (IAM). Throughout the campaign where circumstances are deemed to be appropriate, young drivers may be referred to the IAM for further assessment and training, free of charge, with a view to altering driver attitudes and behaviour.
PS Bob Witherall from the Roads Policing Unit said;
“It’s a tragedy when anyone is killed in a road traffic collision, but even more so when a young life is cut so short.
“We hope that by speaking and engaging with young motorists during this campaign we can raise awareness of the risks that put their own life, as well as the lives of others, in danger.
“We recognise that passing your driving test is a massive step in gaining independence, we just want to make sure that young drivers appreciate that this comes with great responsibility.
“Ultimately, we just want to raise awareness and ensure young drivers complete their journeys and get home to their families safely.”
