Students targeted in safe driving campaign

Newly enrolled students at colleges in Swansea have been targeted by road safety officers to help them become better drivers.

Swansea Council's Road Safety Team gave away copies of the Highway Code and passed on safe driving tips to hundreds of young drivers at Freshers Week events across Swansea.

The team is hoping the work will lead to a reduction in the number of road accidents in Swansea involving 16 to 25-year-olds.

The latest figures show a steady decrease in the number of road-related collisions involving young people between the ages of 16 and 25. In 2006 the figure stood at 410. This has now been reduced to 300.

Jeff Green, Swansea Council's Casualty Reduction Officer, said: "Events such as Freshers Week are perfect for us to access young drivers and pass on tips to them about staying safe behind the wheel.

"We are seeing a decrease in the number of 16 to 25-year-olds involved in road accidents. Our aim is to further reduce this number."

One lucky student, Tom Bennett from Gorseinon College, also picked up £100 worth of Top Man vouchers in a competition organised by the team during the event.

And as well as students enrolling on college courses during the week, they were encouraged to enrol in the Pass Plus Cymru safe driving course which provides young, new drivers with extra guidance once they have passed their tests.

In Swansea more than 500 young drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 have completed the course in the last three years.

The course, which has been running in partnership with officers from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service from Morriston Fire Station since September 2006, aims to promote road safety to newly qualified young drivers aged between 17 and 25 by enhancing their knowledge, skills, attitude and understanding through the provision of theoretical and practical driving instruction.

Passing the course can also give young drivers access to cheaper insurance.