Devon and Cornwall learner

Devon and Cornwall learner MORE than 300 driving instructors around Devon and Cornwall are to receive new teaching resources from a pioneering road safety campaign. These are speed, drink, drugs, seatbelts, mobile phones, distractions, showing off and improper insurance. It is believed to be the first time the public sector has worked directly with driving instructors to reach learners and parents with safer driving messages. The founding partners of the project are Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council (as part of the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership), Locke's School of Motoring and Peppers School of Motoring. All sides agree that the partnership nature of the scheme has been a big benefit, with organisations working together towards a common goal of saving lives and making the area safer. She said: "The Honest Truth is a true partnership which has given driving instructors seats at the top table. Together we want to make certain that our learner drivers and their parents truly understand the risks, and hopefully we'll reduce the number of accidents involving young people on our roads. She said: "We have an infectious passion for this project which has really turned people on to it and helped get others on board. "It's been a labour of love for the Board, and we're really encouraged with the support and interest it has generated. Interest in The Honest Truth has been steadily growing since its launch with a single leaflet in November 2009. The campaign has been developed alongside instructors and young drivers, and features animal-human hybrids representing eight issues which contribute to serious or fatal crashes and their consequences. "We'd like all driving instructors to show their support and sign-up to The Honest Truth. With 312 instructors already signed up to an earlier version of the campaign, hopes are high that even more will come on board following a major overhaul of the project. Being launched this week with events in Exeter and Bodmin, the new resources for instructors include an information booklet, website, in-car 'Message of the Day' prompt cards, leaflets for students and parents, and sets of posters. "Our next step is to seek out major sponsorship and take the project to new heights. The Honest Truth is unveiling its new resources to instructors at events this week. Its reputation has now attracted interest from a wide variety of instructors, driving schools and authorities in Somerset, Hertfordshire, Kent and Dorset. The newly-produced report shows that students studying with instructors who use The Honest Truth material are three times more likely to change their driving habits than those who have not seen the campaign. Devon and Cornwall learner Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 03/07/2012