Start them young
Discussion
Under 17 Car Club to work in partnership with the IAM
The leading road safety charity for young drivers is joining forces with the renowned Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
The partnership will make the Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust an IAM approved training provider.
Celebrating its fortieth year in 2016, the Under 17 Car Club will now offer a direct path for young people to progress from their first experience behind the wheel to being recognised as some of the best drivers on the road.
Car Club members meet most Sundays at a variety of nationwide locations where they learn to drive in a safe off-road environment, supported by expert volunteer instructors. Using a graduated learning system which can see young people driving from the age of 11, the charity produces mature drivers of exceptional ability. This is achieved at remarkably low cost, as members typically drive their parents’ cars.
The charity also caters for rising 17s with its week long Pathfinder programme run during school holidays using the same learning methodology.
The new alliance with the IAM, which specialises in post-licence coaching, offers a route to lifelong learning and a well-proven record of achievement. Former Under 17 Car Club and Pathfinder members have, on average, far fewer crashes or convictions than other drivers.*
“This is a remarkable opportunity for the leading young driver charity to work alongside the leading charity for experienced advanced motorists,” says Paul Silverwood, President of the Under 17 Car Club.
“We will offer the IAM the very best of a younger generation of enthusiastic advanced drivers. We will provide opportunities for existing IAM members and their families to get involved in driving in a safe environment.
“And we will share the experience of the best specialist instructors and proven learning methods developed over decades.”
The Under 17 Car Club Charity provides a range of experiences to develop young drivers. Once they have mastered the family car, there are opportunities to fine tune their vehicle control on a skid pan. First Aid, motorway, night driving, and learning to operate the latest double decker buses and 44-tonne articulated lorries are all part of the training. Membership can cost as little at £8.68 for a driving day – that’s just £1.45 an hour!
Shaun Cronin, the Car Club’s Chief Instructor and IAM Regional Quality Manager, says: “For a young person getting behind the wheel years before they can legally take to the road is a one-off opportunity. But this is about having fun too – our members get the opportunity to spend their Sundays driving a wide variety of cars, lorries and buses – and even learning advanced skills on a race track.
“The bottom line is this: working together with the IAM, the Under 17 Car Club can prevent a lot of crashes and, hopefully, we can save young lives.”
The leading road safety charity for young drivers is joining forces with the renowned Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
The partnership will make the Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust an IAM approved training provider.
Celebrating its fortieth year in 2016, the Under 17 Car Club will now offer a direct path for young people to progress from their first experience behind the wheel to being recognised as some of the best drivers on the road.
Car Club members meet most Sundays at a variety of nationwide locations where they learn to drive in a safe off-road environment, supported by expert volunteer instructors. Using a graduated learning system which can see young people driving from the age of 11, the charity produces mature drivers of exceptional ability. This is achieved at remarkably low cost, as members typically drive their parents’ cars.
The charity also caters for rising 17s with its week long Pathfinder programme run during school holidays using the same learning methodology.
The new alliance with the IAM, which specialises in post-licence coaching, offers a route to lifelong learning and a well-proven record of achievement. Former Under 17 Car Club and Pathfinder members have, on average, far fewer crashes or convictions than other drivers.*
“This is a remarkable opportunity for the leading young driver charity to work alongside the leading charity for experienced advanced motorists,” says Paul Silverwood, President of the Under 17 Car Club.
“We will offer the IAM the very best of a younger generation of enthusiastic advanced drivers. We will provide opportunities for existing IAM members and their families to get involved in driving in a safe environment.
“And we will share the experience of the best specialist instructors and proven learning methods developed over decades.”
The Under 17 Car Club Charity provides a range of experiences to develop young drivers. Once they have mastered the family car, there are opportunities to fine tune their vehicle control on a skid pan. First Aid, motorway, night driving, and learning to operate the latest double decker buses and 44-tonne articulated lorries are all part of the training. Membership can cost as little at £8.68 for a driving day – that’s just £1.45 an hour!
Shaun Cronin, the Car Club’s Chief Instructor and IAM Regional Quality Manager, says: “For a young person getting behind the wheel years before they can legally take to the road is a one-off opportunity. But this is about having fun too – our members get the opportunity to spend their Sundays driving a wide variety of cars, lorries and buses – and even learning advanced skills on a race track.
“The bottom line is this: working together with the IAM, the Under 17 Car Club can prevent a lot of crashes and, hopefully, we can save young lives.”
I've always advocated encouraging young people to understand that driving can be fun and something to take pride in doing well. People need to drive and that isn't likely to change any time soon, but the trend of making it unfashionable and an unfortunate necessity rather than a pleasure means a lot of younger drivers don't really care about it and so when they get behind the wheel it's third or fourth in their list of immediate priorities after checking social media and doing make-up and chatting with their mates in the car. Even those who are reasonably competent are full of the "Speed kills" guff but have no interest in developing their skills or understanding that there are skills to develop beyond the BRAKE endorsed stuff.
I really believe these under 17 drivers' clubs and schools should work together more closely so they're opened up to more children than those whose parents will ensure they grow up into good drivers anyway. As it is, the only children going on these courses are children of petrol heads, not the children who probably need to be targeted.
I really believe these under 17 drivers' clubs and schools should work together more closely so they're opened up to more children than those whose parents will ensure they grow up into good drivers anyway. As it is, the only children going on these courses are children of petrol heads, not the children who probably need to be targeted.
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