You are viewing our public content
You can sign in or register for additional services

Printable version E-mail this to a friend
in Government News Network news

'Safe Road Use' programme

'Safe Road Use' programme

DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY News Release (DSA 30/08) issued by The Government News Network on 23 June 2008

Crucial steps to bring about a major change in driving attitudes across Great Britain took place at a high-level meeting in Glasgow.

Police officers, road safety experts and educationalists met at the headquarters of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to agree and progress a national 'Safe Road Use' programme which forms a major part of the national Learning to Drive campaign.

The campaign has been launched by Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, and its principal aim is to bring about a change in UK driving attitudes, mainly by ensuring young people become more aware of road safety issues and cultivate better attitudes towards driving in general.

Improved driver education lies at the core of the initiative being handled by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) for the Department for Transport. In turn, the DSA has brought in the SQA, using their expertise to design and implement educational material for youngsters aged 14-16. The campaign specifically aims to educate and inform young people on safe road and safe driving techniques before they actually get behind the wheel!

The fresh approach is part of the Government's plan to inform and educate road users towards better driver rather than restricting and legislating. This approach lies at the heart of the national Learning to Drive consultation from which the DSA will extract and put forward new guidelines to reform the GB driving test. The SQA summit is at the heart of this complex process designed to lead to an educational qualification in safe road use. As the educational aspects are agreed, it is hoped the first elements will be launched in Scotland by the end of 2008, followed by a roll-out to schools, colleges and youth training or pre-apprenticeship colleges in the rest of the country.

Rosemary Thew, chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency, said: "We believe we need a fresh cultural and educational approach to improving driving standards and we have consulted with experts to achieve this. I am confident that the end product from SQA and the DSA will give fresh insight into the trials and tribulations youngsters face when they first take to our busy roads."

Roderic Gillespie, from SQA, said: "We are looking forward to working in partnership with others to implement a Pre-Driver Qualification which will harness young people's enthusiasm and at the same time give them a qualification."

At the heart of the consultation is a micro-website launched by the DSA to encourage members of the public to leave their views on proposals. You can register your views on http://www.dsa.gov.uk/learningtodri ve .

Notes to Editors:

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly launched proposals on May 7 for updating and improving the learning to drive and testing process.

She is keen to look at the way drivers are trained and tested with the objective of ensuring newly-qualified drivers possess the safety skills needed to drive on Britain's busy roads.

During the consultation the DSA aims to gather opinions on a range of proposals, including;

* Changes to the theory test

* Making the practical test more realistic

* Providing a pre driver qualification in road safety

* Introducing a student workbook

* Providing more information to help choose a driving instructor

A response is invited by September.

1. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency * of the Department for Transport.

2. The DSA's vision is "Safe Driving for Life" with an overall mission to contribute towards a Government target of achieving a 40% reduction in riders and drivers killed or seriously injured in road accidents, in the age group up to 24 years, by 2010.

3. Current information on road casualties is available from the Department for Transport website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

4. The Agency's aim is to promote road safety through setting standards for drivers, riders and trainers, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors; Large Goods Vehicle Instructors; Fleet Trainers; Driving Instructor Trainers and Post Test Motorcycle Trainers; supervising Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists; and driver education and the provision of learning resources.

5. DSA is a trading fund * with an expected turnover of around £199 million for the year 2008/9, fully funded by fee income and revenue from its activities. 6. DSA employs over 2,700 staff, of which some 2,000 are driving examiners based at over 400 test centres across mainland Great Britain. In 2007/2008 the Agency conducted 1.8 million practical tests for car drivers, over 95,000 vocational tests and 94,000 motorcycle rider tests. A total of 1.7 million theory tests were carried out at 158 centres. At the end of the year there were around 43,600 people on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

7. DSA was one of the first Government Agencies to introduce an online booking service. Candidates can book and manage their theory and practical test appointments on line at http://www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest

* Executive agency:

An executive agency is semi-detached from its parent department and manages its own budget with freedom from ad hoc, day to day intervention and much of central, government-wide regulation. They are run under the organisation and direction of a Chief Executive recruited through open competition. An executive agency has accountability for the performance of specific operational tasks as a corporate unit, including focused performance targets set by the parent department and personal accountability of the chief executive for performance.

* Trading Fund:

A trading fund is a means of financing trading activities undertaken by Government that would previously have been financed by annual appropriation from Parliament. A trading fund permits the establishment of a self-accounting unit that remains under the control and management of Ministers and accountable to Parliament through Ministers, but has greater freedom to manage its financial affairs. Effectively that means the trading fund body can use its income to settle its liabilities and retain year-end cash balances. Establishing the trading fund does not alter the Agency's constitutional position and it remains part of the Department for Transport.

Printable version E-mail this to a friend

Recent news...

  1. 03 Sep 2010 11:23
    Election reform consultation
  2. 03 Sep 2010 11:18
    The Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  3. 03 Sep 2010 11:16
    North East farmers urged to strap up during harvest
  4. 03 Sep 2010 10:55
    Alternative Nobel Prize’ winners appeal to Botswana President over Bushmen
  5. 03 Sep 2010 10:39
    CQC lifts registration condition on Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  6. 03 Sep 2010 10:38
    Faiths in Action funding to strengthen local communities
  7. 03 Sep 2010 10:36
    FSA fines Moneywise IFA Limited for advice failings in relation to platforms
  8. 03 Sep 2010 10:29
    British Heart Foundation - Insomnia linked with high blood pressure, says new research
  9. 03 Sep 2010 09:45
    Additional training to identify and help victims of forced marriage
  10. 03 Sep 2010 09:24
    OFGEM LAUNCHES INVESTIGATIONS INTO MISSELLING AND SETS UP HOTLINE FOR
  11. 03 Sep 2010 09:21
    EP adds bite to EU financial watchdog rules
  12. 03 Sep 2010 09:13
    Swimming fund makes a splash
  13. 03 Sep 2010 09:07
    Red Ensign marks eleventh Merchant Navy Day
  14. 03 Sep 2010 09:02
    Read Before Burning: how to increase the effectiveness and accountability of quangos
  15. 03 Sep 2010 08:56
    Campaign hand-in event with Nick Clegg on Millennium Development Goals ahead of UN meeting
  16. 03 Sep 2010 08:50
    Trial to test experimental drug for advanced pancreatic cancer
  17. 03 Sep 2010 08:45
    Tougher penalties to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings
  18. 02 Sep 2010 15:38
    Sainsbury's recalls some Freefrom brand cake
  19. 02 Sep 2010 15:16
    Hurricane season gets active
  20. 02 Sep 2010 15:14
    New Library and Archive Qualifications supporting 'Skills for the Future' get sign off
  21. 02 Sep 2010 15:11
    Children's Panel recruitment
  22. 02 Sep 2010 15:06
    FSA bans insurance broker David Marriott for persistent misuse of client money
  23. 02 Sep 2010 14:50
    Environment Agency - Five weeks left to register for CRC
  24. 02 Sep 2010 14:48
    Views wanted on taxifolin
  25. 02 Sep 2010 14:46
    Get on board with Get online week – six weeks to go!
  26. 02 Sep 2010 14:44
    Welsh Secretary welcomes Electoral Commission’s Report on Referendum Question
  27. 02 Sep 2010 14:43
    Support for Dundee’s digital sector
  28. 02 Sep 2010 14:11
    Brooke Kinsella visits North East anti-knife project
  29. 02 Sep 2010 14:05
    UK Deputy Prime Minister: Lifesaving UK aid for devastated areas in South Pakistan
  30. 02 Sep 2010 13:54
    IPCC publishes findings from managed investigation into Bridgewater Hall incident
  31. 02 Sep 2010 13:53
    ‘Money in mattress’ boost for Welsh councils
  32. 02 Sep 2010 13:48
    Advance notice of the review of the NOS for the LAIS sector
  33. 02 Sep 2010 13:43
    The European Commission green lights the exchange of audit working papers with Australia and the United States of America
  34. 02 Sep 2010 13:36
    Regulator shuts down 200th rogue claims firm
  35. 02 Sep 2010 13:33
    Skills for Work at Sgoil Lionacleit
  36. 02 Sep 2010 12:43
    New Safety Advice Issued on Electric Gates
  37. 02 Sep 2010 12:39
    Foundation Phase roll-out continues in Wales
  38. 02 Sep 2010 12:35
    Government food labelling changes
  39. 02 Sep 2010 12:30
    142 schools to convert to academy status weeks after Academies Act passed
  40. 02 Sep 2010 12:28
    Helping charities in Pakistan
  41. 02 Sep 2010 12:26
    Cervical screening
  42. 02 Sep 2010 12:22
    British military bridges being sent to Pakistan
  43. 02 Sep 2010 11:58
    September alert for Employers
  44. 02 Sep 2010 11:50
    Your chance to vote in the Wales Recycling Awards
  45. 02 Sep 2010 11:48
    More support for flood victims
  46. 02 Sep 2010 11:44
    Environment Agency - Big brands sign up to low carbon diet
  47. 02 Sep 2010 11:43
    HCA - First carbon zero home for Mansfield
  48. 02 Sep 2010 11:41
    The Spice Parlour facing possible fine
  49. 02 Sep 2010 10:47
    Europe's seas: Commission sets out criteria for good environmental status
  50. 02 Sep 2010 10:42
    Welsh local authorities win landslide over landfill
  51. 02 Sep 2010 10:34
    Standard Life jobs
  52. 02 Sep 2010 10:29
    UK Youth Justice System Treats Ethnic Groups Differently
  53. 02 Sep 2010 10:23
    Update on products free of colours associated with hyperactivity
  54. 02 Sep 2010 09:43
    Packed and plucked pigeons seizure baffles border officials
  55. 02 Sep 2010 09:25
    Cancer Research UK - Half of Brits got sunburnt this year and many would do it again
  56. 02 Sep 2010 09:08
    Exemplification of standards in Foundation Subjects
  57. 02 Sep 2010 09:05
    Car park charging and booking system update
  58. 02 Sep 2010 09:04
    Career Launcher win ‘Best Skills Project in a Rural Community’ award
  59. 02 Sep 2010 08:52
    Wounded officer speaks on behalf of injured troops
  60. 02 Sep 2010 08:39
    Time for schools to enter EU Young Translator Contest
  61. 02 Sep 2010 08:30
    Staff to Ballot on Industrial Action to Halt London Hospital Pathology Privatisation
  62. 01 Sep 2010 15:24
    Two years to go
  63. 01 Sep 2010 15:20
    Tropical storm warning for Turks & Caicos Islands
  64. 01 Sep 2010 15:17
    Home Office defends position on human trafficking
  65. 01 Sep 2010 15:15
    Work with Parents National Occupational Standards
  66. 01 Sep 2010 14:46
    Coastguard to run 'Exercise Windmill' within wind farms
  67. 01 Sep 2010 14:30
    Scottish communities are riding high thanks to Awards for All
  68. 01 Sep 2010 14:26
    Call for evidence - Review of Offender Learning
  69. 01 Sep 2010 14:24
    British forces mentor the next Afghan military leaders
  70. 01 Sep 2010 13:20
    Progress of HEAT targets
  71. 01 Sep 2010 13:15
    A new view of the Universe
  72. 01 Sep 2010 13:12
    A bridge too far - Lottery honours WWII heroes 66 years on from Market Garden
  73. 01 Sep 2010 12:55
    Scottish Health Survey - UK comparisons
  74. 01 Sep 2010 12:52
    Conservation Measures Boost Rare Butterfly Species on the Porton Down Range
  75. 01 Sep 2010 12:44
    Arts Council opens application for artistic assessors
  76. 01 Sep 2010 11:28
    CAB enquiries still increasing; disability benefits and urgent debts show biggest surge
  77. 01 Sep 2010 11:24
    London Underground welcomes RMT and TSSA leaderships' agreement to ACAS talks
  78. 01 Sep 2010 11:22
    Mackerel conference
  79. 01 Sep 2010 10:32
    Health Protection 2010 Conference - programme announced
  80. 01 Sep 2010 10:29
    Homeless figures down
  81. 01 Sep 2010 10:24
    Local Government Challenge: The hunt is on for the next generation of management stars
  82. 01 Sep 2010 10:19
    Ariel Survey brings Bumper Harvest of Cropmarks
  83. 01 Sep 2010 09:48
    Cockenzie power application
  84. 01 Sep 2010 09:45
    Search for the nation’s best loved and most neglected river
  85. 01 Sep 2010 09:40
    Army officer's Masters helps save money at Camp Bastion
  86. 01 Sep 2010 09:35
    Consultation extended on the draft decision to grant an environmental permit for the Viridor Energy from Waste plant at Trident Park, Cardiff
  87. 01 Sep 2010 08:41
    Cancer survival statistics
  88. 01 Sep 2010 08:38
    Improving family justice - give your views
  89. 01 Sep 2010 08:34
    Q&A: EU-China customs cooperation and combating illicit trade
  90. 01 Sep 2010 08:22
    Statins do not raise risk of cancer, says new study
  91. 01 Sep 2010 08:20
    Malnutrition remains a problem for elderly hospital patients
  92. 01 Sep 2010 08:00
    Bowel screening
  93. 01 Sep 2010 07:57
    £825,000 for projects to improve local rural health services
  94. 01 Sep 2010 07:53
    Benefits of Community Payback
  95. 31 Aug 2010 15:52
    Clampdown on 'party flats'
  96. 31 Aug 2010 15:38
    Are your children fully prepared to go back to school?
  97. 31 Aug 2010 15:32
    Investigation following death of man in Gillingham
  98. 31 Aug 2010 15:27
    Dental registrations
  99. 31 Aug 2010 15:24
    SEARCH RESUMES AFTER MISSING KAYAK LOCATED
  100. 31 Aug 2010 15:22
    Keydata Update
  101. 31 Aug 2010 15:20
    LOCAL VOLUNTEERS UNSUNG HEROES OF FLOOD RELIEF, SAYS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARITY, VSO.
  102. 31 Aug 2010 15:17
    Welsh Office Minister opens Llanarmon Yn Iāl Post Office Service
  103. 31 Aug 2010 15:10
    Health Minister to open new units to speed up treatment and improve patient care
  104. 31 Aug 2010 14:44
    Giving people their say on planning
  105. 31 Aug 2010 14:38
    Grant Shapps: Bypass Whitehall and scrap outdated byelaws
  106. 31 Aug 2010 14:32
    Fit to travel? Get the lowdown on travel health
  107. 31 Aug 2010 14:26
    Publication of DWP Research Report 681: Feasibility study for the future Jobcentre Plus Customer Satisfaction Survey
  108. 31 Aug 2010 13:43
    Homeless persons legislation
  109. 31 Aug 2010 13:37
    UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy
  110. 31 Aug 2010 13:24
    RoSPA CONGRESS TO LOOK AT ROAD SAFETY IN TIME OF SPENDING CUTS
  111. 31 Aug 2010 13:21
    Eric Pickles: Time for a fair deal for the travelling and settled community
  112. 31 Aug 2010 13:17
    The Independent Commission on Banking met on Friday 27th August 2010.
  113. 31 Aug 2010 12:39
    Cancer Research UK - Oesophageal cancer rates in men up 50 per cent in a generation
  114. 31 Aug 2010 12:34
    Hospital mortality rates
  115. 31 Aug 2010 12:29
    CQC response to statement from Age UK about malnutrition in NHS hospitals
  116. 31 Aug 2010 12:26
    Action taken against two brokers for mortgage fraud failings
  117. 31 Aug 2010 12:16
    British trawler prosecuted for going wrong way in Traffic Separation Scheme
  118. 31 Aug 2010 11:29
    Influenza immunisation
  119. 31 Aug 2010 11:25
    Hundreds of unclaimed bikes pile up in the Capital's police stations
  120. 31 Aug 2010 11:19
    Silence from secret services could aid extremism
  121. 31 Aug 2010 11:13
    Martha Lane Fox to speak at Socitm 2010
  122. 31 Aug 2010 10:30
    Nearly a third of nurses not confident that their malnourished relatives entering hospital would be noticed
  123. 31 Aug 2010 10:27
    Go ahead for college merger
  124. 31 Aug 2010 10:23
    HCA - Official unveiling of Fryston Village sculpture
  125. 31 Aug 2010 09:59
    Under sea CO2 storage licensing plans published
  126. 31 Aug 2010 09:56
    Scottish Housing Expo
  127. 31 Aug 2010 09:54
    UKaid: More RAF flights bring shelter for 3,500 families in Southern Pakistan
  128. 31 Aug 2010 09:26
    International paedophile network smashed as private Facebook group infiltrated
  129. 31 Aug 2010 09:20
    Report exposes hidden costs of community sentences over custody
  130. 31 Aug 2010 09:16
    FAB holidays help bereaved Service families
  131. 31 Aug 2010 08:09
    'Y' men get heart disease - genetic clues revealed
  132. 31 Aug 2010 08:04
    Latest ONS figures show need to keep cutting spending
  133. 31 Aug 2010 07:54
    Heart failure medicine looks promising
  134. 31 Aug 2010 07:52
    UK and US Service personnel to run across America for injured colleagues
  135. 31 Aug 2010 00:01
    Age Restricted Sales
  136. 30 Aug 2010 21:00
    Coastguard suspend search for kayaker
  137. 30 Aug 2010 19:02
    BOY, WAKE BOARDING, HIT BY POWER BOAT
  138. 30 Aug 2010 17:23
    Thrown away beacon sparks coastguard search
  139. 30 Aug 2010 14:57
    Yarmouth coastguard alert shipping to 60 tonnes of lost cargo
  140. 30 Aug 2010 11:00
    Coastguard request help from the public after extended search for kayaker
  141. 30 Aug 2010 01:17
    HOLYHEAD COASTGUARD MOUNT MAJOR SEARCH FOR MISSING KAYAKER
  142. 30 Aug 2010 00:01
    EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 MONDAY 30 AUGUST 2010 - Ministers call on business to improve disabled access ahead of the 2012 Games
  143. 28 Aug 2010 17:40
    DIVER REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER BREATHING STOPPED FOLLOWING DIVE