Road safety information for drivers
Our aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions on our roads. We have a range of training opportunities to help drivers broaden their skills and increase levels of confidence.
Advanced driving
Our Road Safety team supports IAM RoadSmart (IAM) to provide young drivers in our area with the opportunity to advance their driving skills and improve safety on the road.
Our advanced driving course is beneficial for all ages, it’s particularly relevant for young drivers, as it’s a great way to improve your driving skills. It is also a good addition to your CV.
Residents aged 25 and under can apply for a full refund of the course fee on passing the IAM RoadSmart advanced driving test at the end of the course.
Full details of the course can be found on the Chester and Nantwich Advanced Drivers website.
To check if you would be eligible for a refund before paying for a course you can contact us by email at info@canad.org.uk or by phone on 0845 862 4899.
Engage partnership
New drivers
Engage’s mission is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads. They provided Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) with enhanced training and resources to use as part of the normal learning to drive process.
The Engage Partnership brings together Cheshire and Merseyside local authorities, Cheshire and Merseyside Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership and most importantly ADIs to improve driver education for young drivers.
The programme is delivered by ADI’s during their everyday lessons. Choosing to learn with an Engage trained instructor requires no extra time or cost, but the benefits could prove priceless. The lessons are specifically designed to increase the learner’s ability to cope with topics that are critical to the safety of new drivers, their passengers and other road users. Topics include:
- distraction
- fatigue
- peer pressure
- speed
- impairment covering alcohol, drugs and prescription medication
- vulnerable road users
- car maintenance.
All of which are considered contributory factors in road traffic collisions. Engage supports ADI’s to expand their tuition in these topics which are often difficult to engage with.
Engage is a community of like-minded people who provide support to each other and are passionate about preparing the young driver for the crucial period after they have passed their driving test.
For more information and to find or become an Engage instructor please visit Engage Driving – Drive Smarter.
Smartdrive
Young drivers
The one-day road skills experience is a mixture of discussion and practical driving designed for maximum benefit whilst having a great time. Working on a personal level, the course will provide the very latest hints, tips and advice on driving techniques for people under the age of 25 with a full driving licence.
Company drivers
Up to a third of all road crashes in any one year involve someone driving on company business. Smartdrive is a flexible course for companies and organisations run by the Road Safety team.
A two-hour theory workshop session encourages course members to take part in discussions and exercises on defensive driving techniques, hazard awareness and risk perception. An optional one-hour driving assessment can follow the workshop or be taken on a separate date.
Driving assessments are also available for individual bookings by members of the public who would like to refresh their driving skills.
Mature drivers
Mature drivers have a wealth of experience, confidence and tolerance. However, sight, hearing, reactions time and judgement of speed and distance may not be as sharp as it once was.
Fragility increases with age, so injuries tend to be more serious, and recovery can take much longer. In Great Britain in 2023, around a quarter of all car drivers killed were older drivers, with 11% of all casualties in car collisions involving older drivers.
The Road Safety Team offers a number of ways to help the mature driver by giving them the skills and knowledge of how to continue driving safely but also explaining other travel options and when to consider stopping driving.
Drive Safely for Longer (DSFL)
This is a two-part initiative consisting of a workshop and optional driving session/assessment for drivers aged 65 and over.
- The workshops take place in various libraries and are offered to community groups, free of charge, across the borough with the aim of increasing knowledge and awareness. The in-person presentation covers eyesight, health, mobility, lifestyle, vehicles, public transport and practical assistance.
- The optional driving session/assessment aims to improve driving skills. This on-the-road session takes place with a specifically trained Advanced Driving Instructor whilst using the driver’s own car, driving in their local area. The driver will receive up to date information and road safely advice whilst improving skills to give reassurance and confidence to drive safely for longer.
Over the years, there have been many changes in road traffic law, road layouts, traffic signs and vehicle design. These driving instructors are ideally placed to go through anything the driver is unsure about. This can help with driving at night, reversing into car park spaces or simply regaining confidence after a break from driving. It can be arranged at a time and place convenient for the driver and could be all it takes to give reassurance, increase confidence, and help to keep people driving safer for longer.
Virtual Reality (VR)
The Road Safety Team has recently worked in partnership to produce the first virtual reality education film created entirely through crowdfunding, and it’s been an amazing experience. This mature driver film is also delivered in workshops across the borough but with smaller groups of five drivers for one hour. This lends itself perfectly to safety awareness and education messages, by immersing viewers in a lifelike environment. It presents hazards, risks and insight that would be too costly, impractical or dangerous to engineer in a live setting. After this session, the driver can sign up for the driving session/assessment as detailed above to increase their knowledge, access support and gain feedback on their driving in a practical way.
Cheshire Minibus Driver Assessment Scheme (CMDAS)
All drivers who wish to drive a minibus on behalf of ourselves must attend the CMDAS, or a suitable alternative course. The course comprises a briefing session and a practical driving assessment.