YOUNG drivers show they are getting the safety message as more sign up to a scheme aimed at cutting road deaths.
Half of Rutland's young drivers are taking an advanced course to improve their skills, compared to just 20 per cent a year ago.
And this week safety improvements on the A6003 between Uppingham and Caldecott were completed at some of its notorious ac
cident blackspots.
The moves are part of a three-pronged approach to tackle Rutland's accident record, which focuses on education, engineering improvements and speed enforcement.
The Pass Plus scheme is subsidised by Rutland County Council in a bid to keep under 25s safe on the county's roads. In 2007 only 48 new drivers took the course but in 2008 the number rose to 132.
Driving instructor Philip Louch, of Edith Weston Road, North Luffenham, said: "It's a very good scheme which definitely makes a big difference to their skills. Thirty-six of my pupils have taken the lessons during the last year compared to seven the year before – only two chose not to take up the offer.
"The lessons take young drivers out onto dual carriageways and unfamiliar rural roads which is hugely beneficial to those who will be driving in Rutland."
The take-up has been such a success that the council has pledged to support the scheme until the end of the year.
Council leader Roger Begy (Con) said: "I'm delighted to see that a significant number of our young people have signed up to the Pass Plus sessions. They deserve a lot of credit for being mature enough to recognise the importance of this.
"It will significantly improve their driving skills and with substantial savings on car insurance available to those who complete the course, it can be a good move financially."
Talks between councillors, police and schools took place after three people died on the A6003 within two months in 2007. The Mercury launched a Cut the Limit campaign to review safety on the road following the tragedies and this was one option considered during the talks.
There were 30 serious or fatal accidents in 2008, up two on the previous year. Since then anti-skid surfacing has been laid on sections of the road between Uppingham and Caldecott along with new speed signs and a gateway entrance to the town.
