THE motorists of tomorrow at Withins School in Bolton will get a lesson in road safety in an effort to produce better drivers.

Steve Howarth, an experienced examiner from the Driving Standards Agency, will be talking to pupils from Withins on Thursday to take the fear out of the driving test and reinforce crucial road safety messages.

Groups of 15 to 18-year-olds will be getting a taste of the theory and practical tests that will almost inevitably become a reality to them in the near future.

The visit is part of the DSA's Schools Programme which includes the use of instructional videos, sample theory tests, copies of the Highway Code and teachers' resource material.

Mr Howarth will talk about the key issues of road safety in Britain today.

Subjects discussed will include awareness of all other road users, the vulnerability of new drivers, motorcyclists, excessive speed and the dangers of drink driving.

The programme is in response to startling statistics which show that young drivers are significantly at risk.

Figures highlighted by the DSA include:

New drivers, aged 17 to 21, are involved in a quarter of all fatal accidents despite accounting for only 10 per cent of all full driving licence holders.

Three young people die every day in road accidents in Britain.

Since the introduction of Compulsory Basic Training in December 1990, motorcycle accidents have fallen by 54 per cent.

In the mid 1980s, male casualties through road accidents were 49 per cent lower than current figures.

Research shows new drivers take up to two seconds longer to react to potential dangers than experienced motorists.

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