Young drivers learn from a crash course

10.00.00am GMT Wed 28th May 2008

Cllr Jacquie Bell recently attended the Young Driver Challenge at Jewel and Esk Valley College - a linkage between Midlothian and East Lothian Councils and Lothian and Borders Police.

The event was an opportunity for young drivers from 17-25 to listen to the emergency services as well as victims of car accidents. There was also opportunity to learn car handling skills. Prizes ranged from a Ferrari driving experience to car emergency kit.

Cllr Bell later had an opportunity to talk to Police and other emergency services about there experiences on the road. She commented, "I was able to have a spin with a Police Advanced Driving Instructor. In a 20 minute trip around Gorebridge around 10 offences were spotted but offenders could not be picked up as the car was unmarked."

Cllr Bell gave prizes at the end of the event. She said, "passing your driving test is only the start of driving and young drivers are very vulnerable. This kind of event is very helpful to young drivers who have to be made aware of the tremendous responsibility that driving a car brings."

However, Cllr Bell was pleased that the overall winner was a local driver - from Tranent!