YOUNG drivers are being offered extended training in a bid to cut the toll of death and injury on the roads.

Drivers under 25 make up just 12 per cent of Bournemouth’s road users but are involved in more than a quarter of accidents in the borough.

Now Bournemouth council has joined forces with safety centre Streetwise to offer the new Life Drive course to drivers aged 17-25 who have passed their driving test within the last four years.

The course is free of charge and offers theoretical and practical training over several hours. Participants also receive a £50 voucher which can be redeemed at businesses including Motabitz, Frankie and Benny’s Empire Cinemas and Lush as an incentive to take part.

Councillor Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We are committed to reducing the number of accidents on Bournemouth’s roads. Helping young drivers develop a better understanding of the dangers they face on the roads is a proven way of doing this.

“Life Drive has been carefully designed to give young drivers a chance to develop skills that they may not have had a chance to learn before they took their driving test, giving them the tools they need to avoid potential dangers.”

Alison Shelton, Chief Executive of the SafeWise charity, which runs LV=Streetwise, said: “Driving is the first tangible taste of real freedom for many young people and their whole life is ahead of them. We want to make sure that their first car isn’t their last.

“Our charity’s ethos is about reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused in preventable accidents. So for us, being able to offer something so valuable for this age group both free of charge and with an additional incentive is priceless.”

For a Life Drive Application Form please visit streetwise.org.uk or for further information about the scheme contact Alison Shelton on 01202 591330.