Young drivers given safety lessons

11:44am Thursday 8th June 2006

Following a number of tragic incidents involving young Asian male drivers a new project has been looking to educate youngsters on driving safely.

The Kick Start Safe Driving Project has been aimed at young men from 15-19 years from the Asian heritage community.

Youngtsters aged between 15 and 19 are given 10 driving simulator lessons and the 17-19 year olds are get 20 driving lessons.

The project started in the first week of April and concludes this month.

Fareeha Ishtiaque, Community Development Officer at the Healthy Living Centre, Blackburn said, "The main aim is to enable young people to understand factors which could adversely affect driving.

"Both age ranges receive training from the fire services department, police department, drug officer, road safety department and car maintenance."

The Fire services department talk to the young men about road Traffic Collisions and the consequences.

The crew cut up a car showing the difficulties that arise following an accident.

The police talk about the importance of using seat belts and speed limits.

The drug officer explains how dangerous drugs can be and how driving under the influence of drugs has caused numerous accidents.

Tutors from BSM are on hand to advise young men on car maintainance.

The Project has proved very successful and has been run by the Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative with the Blackburn North Healthy Living Centre and Capita Road Safety.