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Deadline Approaches For "Young Driver Of the Year"


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COVENTRY – September 5, 2008: The 2008 Coventry and Warwickshire Young Driver of the Year Competition is searching for the region’s best young driver – but the deadline for entries is fast approaching. Sponsored by Peugeot Motor Company PLC, the competition offers young drivers the chance to win a brand new fully taxed and insured Peugeot 107 – a safe, economical and low emissions car – ideal for the young at heart.

Competition organisers are searching for exceptional young people to enter – drivers aged 17-21 who can demonstrate a responsible attitude, an ability and desire to improve their driving skills, and a willingness to listen to feedback and learn quickly from the experts. An assured and confident driving manner, the capability to handle a vehicle under pressure and in challenging environments, and consistently high standards in a range of driving situations, are also required.

The competition is run by Warwickshire County and Coventry City Council’s Road Safety Teams with the support of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, MIRA, and the sponsorship of Peugeot Motor Company PLC, to encourage safe driving practices amongst young people and reduce casualty numbers within this group. In 2006, 25% of car occupants killed on UK roads were aged 17-21.

Young drivers aged 17-21 can enter by completing and returning an entry form available by telephoning 02476 832007 or by filling in a form online at www.coventry.gov.uk/youngdrivercompetition.

The entry form contains three multiple choice questions and a tiebreaker in which the entrants will need to convince the judges that they deserve to be the 2008 Coventry and Warwickshire Young Driver of the Year. The closing date for entries is Monday 15 September.

Cllr Kevin Foster, from Coventry City Council became a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists when he was 19 and said: “This is an excellent example of a major company working with local groups to improve road safety. This will help get young drivers focused on road safety and hopefully encourage more to look at going on to improve their driving skills by becoming advanced motorists themselves.”

Peugeot’s Managing Director Pierre Louis Colin said: “If this initiative prevents one accident or serious injury it will be worth our three year investment in younger drivers.”

The 2007 competition attracted hundreds of entries, but it was 21 year old Sean Oliver from Southam, Warwickshire, who took home the title of ‘Young Driver of the Year’ along with a brand new Peugeot. Sean said: “I was so pleased I entered the competition. I won a fabulous brand new Peugeot car, had a lot of fun on the driving days and got some really useful advice and feedback on my driving. It was a great experience. I would encourage other young drivers to enter the competition and I’d also recommend getting some extra driver training. As I discovered, professional driver training can help you become a better driver, there’s always something to learn.”