WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s young drivers’ programme Drivestart has been awarded ‘Best Partnership Scheme 2018’ at the First Car Awards.

The award was judged by a panel of road safety experts, including Adrian Walsh, director of Roadsafe.

Mr Walsh said: “The programme boasts a truly excellent research base. Not only has the team tried to re-engineer the experience event in road safety with demonstrable effects, but there is also clear partnership working throughout this innovative scheme."

Drivestart is part of the councils’ initiative to make roads safer and reduce the number of casualties in the area and Wokingham Borough Council is one of the first local authorities to take up the programme.

Service manager for transport and road safety at Wokingham Borough Council, Matthew Gould, said: “We’re thrilled our Drivestart programme has been recognised by industry leaders and appreciate the opportunity that this award has given us to promote this important programme.”

Drivestart is a one-day pre-driver course for 15 to 19 year olds who are applying for their provisional driving licence, which involves car maintenance, hazard perception lessons and driving simulations.

Drivestart has also been shortlisted for a CIHT award with the ceremony taking place on June 14 in London.

The next Drivestart course will take place on May 31 at Madejski Stadium. Further details can be found by visiting: http://drivestart.co.uk/book/