Young drivers on the ball
Playing football for Scotland’s most northerly league club can involve a fair bit of travel on some of the country’s most remote roads. Caroline Brodie finds out what young players at Ross County Football Club have been doing to hone their skills behind the wheel
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FAST cars are as deeply rooted in the footballer’s image as Wags, suntans and diamonds, but Ross County Football Club is taking steps to turn its young players into safe and sensible drivers.
The Victoria Park club has already put three of its young players through Pass Plus, the Driving Standards Agency’s training scheme for newly qualified drivers, and more are to follow.
The initiative came about after Northern Constabulary approached the Staggies and suggested the scheme would benefit young players – many of whom drive long distances on rural roads to get to the Dingwall club.
Adam Naismith, a midfielder for the under-19s, is among those who have taken part.
The 18-year-old from Inverness, who drives a Citroen Saxo, said: “It has given me confidence about driving on different types of roads.
“It teaches you different things that are not in the test, and I think it is a very good idea.”
Club administration assistant Kayren Gill, 19, from the Black Isle, also jumped at the chance of taking part in the scheme, which allows young drivers to gain experience in areas not covered by the ordinary driving test and is open to any driver in the first 12 months after passing their test.
She said: “It made a big difference to me and made me feel more confident.”
A spokesman said the club fully backed the Pass Plus scheme and was keen to highlight to the whole community the benefit of teaching new drivers to think about driving safely and improving their technical skills and knowledge.
Designed to boost young drivers’ awareness and reduce the chances of them being involved in an accident, the scheme involves taking six further lessons, concentrating on driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual-carriageways and on motorways.
There is no test at the end, but entrants must complete all six modules.
Local authorities co-ordinate it and most offer grants towards covering the costs.
Since Highland Council started offering Pass Plus in 2005, more than 650 candidates have signed up, and the council is currently offering candidates £100 towards the cost of completing it.
Lisa MacKellaich, a road-safety officer with Highland Council, said: “We would encourage every newly qualified driver in the Highlands to undertake Pass Plus as it significantly increases their knowledge and understanding of driving.”
In the Highlands, a driver aged 17-25 is six times more likely to be involved in an injury accident than a driver aged over 40, but the probability of having an accident is reduced by a third after just one year’s driving experience.
The Press and Journal launched its three-month Young Driver of the Year campaign to help cut the toll of death on our roads and improve driving standards.
More than 100 people from across the north and north-east applied and the 12 finalists will be invited to take part in an unforgettable day at the home of Scottish motorsport at Knockhill, in Fife, on May 14.
The winner, to be announced at the Taste of Grampian motor show on June 7, will drive away in a new Seat Ibiza.
For more information about the scheme and discounts offered in your local-authority area, visit passplus.org.uk/ sponsors.asp
