HOW often do we, as parents or grandparents, feel anxious when our young families start their driving lessons?

And then do we feel a shiver of anxiety when they pass the test and look forward with excitement, to enjoying the freedom of driving on their own and taking their friends out?

And we know the evidence shows that, in the first twelve months, new drivers often have scrapes and bumps in the car – hopefully not injuring themselves – or worse. But what can we do?

A local driving instructor told the story of the young boy having lessons and disagreeing with the instructor's advice saying “My dad doesn’t do this, so why do I need to?”

Perhaps dad, with his elbow on the window sill, can get away with some bad driving ‘habit’ because he is an experienced driver. But his young son, who is inexperienced, might get into dangerous difficulties if something unexpected comes up when he is out on the road alone.

It seems that children unconsciously copy their parents’ driving styles so we need to be role models for them. Because of this, some parents and grandparents are upgrading their driving by taking an advanced driving course to ensure that their driving is the best it can be.

Another way of helping young drivers to gain more experience, become more observant and plan their driving is to enrol them on an advanced course too. They will have further in depth training, enjoy their driving, find it more interesting, and keep them safer. One 17-year-old boy was so keen to take an advanced course he enrolled the day before he took his driving test. And he passed!

The Bolton & District Advanced Motorists Group run four courses a year, covering Bolton, Salford, Manchester and Wigan. The next course starts on Wednesday, February 4with an enrolment evening from 7.15pm to 9pm at Lostock Parish Centre, Tempest Road, Lostock, Bolton, BL6 4EL. Anyone interested can come along to see what is involved and there is no obligation to sign up. If you think this might be for you, you can contact Annette Gamble on 0161 797 1084 for further advice and information.

Katherine Whittle

Bolton