ARE YOU A SEMI-FINALIST?

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IT IS the news young drivers from across Scotland have been waiting for.

These are the 25 semi-finalists still in with a hope of being crowned the Press and Journal’s Young Driver of the Year and driving away in a new Seat Ibiza Sport:

Angus Flett, Helmsdale;

Malcolm Trevaskis, Huntly;

Maximillian Karl Schneider, Balmedie;

Rory Cruden, Kiltarlity;

Callum Cruden, Kiltarlity;

Philip Pratt, Inverurie;

John Penny, Oldmeldrum;

Matthew Campbell, Inverurie;

Linda Cumming, Dunecht;

Ryan Smith, Westhill;

Daniel Crighton, Blairgowrie;

Mhairi Meston, Fordoun;

Dean Ross, Alness;

Rona Nealgrove, Alford;

Ailidh Nealgrove, Alford;

Claire McBean, Inverness;

Jemma McIntosh, Dufftown;

Francis Quinn, Aberdeen;

Sammy Murray, Inverurie;

Ben Steven Laing, Elgin;

Iain McLean, Peterhead;

Helen Johnstone, Newmachar;

Mhari Raffan, Rothienorman;

Brian Marshall, Alford;

Anne Marshall, Alford.

All 25 semi-finalists will be contacted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and taken for an assessment drive in the coming weeks. The best 12 will be invited to take part in an unforgettable day at the home of Scottish motorsport at Knockhill, in Fife.

More than 100 people from across the north and north-east applied to become the Press and Journal’s Young Driver of the Year – a major road safety campaign being run with Grampian Police, the IAM, Knockhill’s Centre for Driver Excellence and Specialist Cars Seat.

It aims to cut the toll of death on our roads by promoting advanced driving skills.

When asked what could be done to help reduce the death and injury toll among young drivers, entrants made a whole host of suggestions, including introducing a limit on the size of engine a young person could drive; making advanced driving courses such as Pass Plus compulsory, and restricting the number of passengers allowed in a young driver’s car.