DriveTech welcome law change proposals

21 April 2009

Berkshire-based driver training and education provider DriveTech welcomes the latest proposals announced today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in attempt to further reduce casualty rates on Britain’s roads.

The company has a long and successful history of re-equipping motorists with the power to make life changing decisions whilst at the wheel, through its work with corporate fleet drivers and the many educational workshops it runs nationwide for various police forces.

“Although the headline announcement is concerned with a subject very close to DriveTech’s heart – improving education for drivers of all ages – it will be the emotive topic of speed limit reduction which will no doubt produce the most reaction,” says DriveTech Chairman Chris Howell.

“Being at the forefront of speed education, DriveTech has played its part in communicating the benefits of responsible speed management to many thousands of motorists to date and there is no question that drivers do change their behaviour once they’re in possession of the facts. Research has definitely proved that, once people receive guidance, help and support about speed issues in an empathetic way, they are prepared to change their behaviour patterns for the better.

“Whilst we particularly welcome the proposed vocational training requirement for van drivers (DriveTech helped develop the Safe and Efficient Driving scheme for van drivers in 2005) we’re particularly pleased that the Driving Standards Agency has chosen to follow DriveTech’s example in how learner drivers are catered for,” continues Mr Howell.

“DriveTech’s top of the range learner driver product, ‘Full Advantage’, has pioneered a significant change in emphasis for learner driver coaching. Not only does it have its own enhanced curriculum but also interactive workshops, structured inter-lesson practice and post test training superior to Pass Plus. It’s crucial to go the extra mile with initial training if we’re to stand any chance of driving down young driver casualty rates.”

Further information about DriveTech’s extensive work in driver education please refer to www.drivetech.co.uk

For further information, members of the media should contact
Steve Johnson on direct line +44 (0)1344 467896, mobile +44 (0)7894 621134 or on steve.johnson@drivetech.co.uk

Editor's Notes

DriveTech (UK) plc is one of the UK’s leading providers of road risk management, driver assessment and education. We work with organisations whose employees ‘drive for work’ (FleetSafe) and with members of the public, who are offered education as an alternative to prosecution by the police (DriverAware), as well as a totally fresh approach to learning to drive (Advantage).

DriveTech’s vision is ‘working together to eliminate road death and serious injuries’ by providing the most effective and innovative solutions, using education and technology, to minimise risk for all road users.

DriveTech has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the ‘European Driver Safety Specialist’ award in 2005. In September 2007, it was named the ITM’s ‘UK Driver Training Solutions Specialist’ and in 2008 DriveTech was voted ‘Best Driver Training Company’ in the Green Fleet Awards.

DriveTech is a member of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, the Association of Car Fleet Operators, the Association of National Driver Improvement Scheme Providers, the DfT’s ‘Driving For Better Business’ campaign and is accredited by both the Driving Standards Agency and City & Guilds.