WEST Mercia Police are calling on driving instructors to help pilot a new scheme of training to supplement the teaching of learner drivers across Worcestershire.
The force plan to fund subscriptions for 35 approved driving instructors, giving them access to a new learning app called ‘The Honest Truth’ which will deliver 10 bitesize road safety lessons to learners alongside the instructors’ normal educational routines.
The ‘truths’ or lessons will be delivered through short videos and will focus on ten key issues including mobile phones, speeding, seatbelts, tiredness, drink, drugs and showing off.
It will be funded by West Mercia Police Road Safety Team as part of a national campaign delivered through collaboration with emergency services, road safety organisations and driving instructors across the UK.
Driving instructors taking part will also receive additional resources to share with their students and will be listed as a registered ‘Honest Truth’ instructor on a webpage dedicated to the scheme.
The scheme has came about following alarming road traffic collision statistics for young drivers.
During 2023, nine young people aged 17-25 were killed and 104 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. An additional 297 suffered slight injuries.
Superintendent Steph Brighton, West Mercia Police said:
“New and young drivers continue to be over-represented in road casualty statistics both locally and nationally, and we remain committed to trying to change this and reducing the number of young people killed and injured on our roads.
“The Honest Truth campaign aims to make them aware of the risks they face when they start to drive alone and the positive choices they can make to keep themselves and others around them safe.”
Olly Taylor QPM, co-founder of The Honest Truth, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with West Mercia Police who have very generously provided funding for ADIs in their area to be able to receive this campaign for free.
By delivering high-quality road safety to those most at risk on the roads, instructors are ensuring that the young people they are teaching to drive have the skills and knowledge to stay safe and keep their licences long after they pass their test.”
Places are available on a first come first serve basis.
Visit https://www.thehonesttruth.co.uk/join if you’re an approved driving instructor and are interested in the scheme.
