Award winning technology to teach young people to drive arrives in Cambridgeshire

CAMBRIDGESHIRE and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership has teamed up with the award-winning social enterprise Drive iQ to create a version of their online driving awareness software , thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Cambs Drive iQ will target young people from the ages of 11-25 working with schools and colleges across the county by providing them with this potentially life-saving FREE educational toolkit.

Young drivers will acquire knowledge that will inform their decision-making processes to reduce risk taking and misconceptions.  Module themes include distractions, alcohol and drugs, seatbelts, thrill seeking, eye scanning and perception. You can watch a 2 minute clip of the software in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3njFEg3mFwA

Based on proven science, Cambs Drive iQ puts young road users through potentially hazardous road scenarios in a virtual environment, which improves the skills often neglected by young drivers, such as anticipating danger, risk management, considering emotional response and being a responsible passenger.

Lisa Dorn, Reader on Driver Behaviour, Cranfield University said “There is little evidence that passing the driving test means novice drivers are safe.  Indeed, they are more at risk of crash involvement post-test than at any other time in their driving careers.  Cambs Drive iQ’s enhanced focus on hazard awareness improves the ability to judge traffic situations and considers the attitudinal and behavioural factors associated with risk.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite said:

“I am delighted to be able to fund this initiative. My aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Unfortunately young people are most at risk of having a collision. Studies show that 25% of 16-25 year olds will be involved in a collision within two years of passing their test. Drive iQ will allow us to engage with young people from the start, preparing them for the potential challenges they may face whilst driving. It’s a good way to influence attitudes towards driving in a classroom environment and should equip young drivers with the attitude they need to stay safe on the roads.”

Matt Staton, Road Safety Education Team Leader from Cambridgeshire County Council said: “This web-based learning programme will help us educate young people into how to keep both themselves and others safe while driving. We will be inviting all schools and colleges to sign up for the autumn term.”  

In the past 5 years there have been 3,700 casualties in Road Traffic Collisions within the 16 -25 year old group in Cambridgeshire.