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 - Drive Safely for Longer
This programme gives people the opportunity to increase their knowledge, awareness and to improve their driving skills. This could be all it takes to give reassurance, increase confidence and ultimately help to keep people driving safer for longer.
It is aimed at people aged 65 years and over and will consist of attendance of a workshop, followed by a drive with a driving Instructor who has a good understanding of the needs of experienced drivers at a time and place convenient to the driver.
Requirements such as eyesight and insurance will be discussed with the driver before setting off on a drive and advice and tips are provided to enhance their driving skills along the way. The driving instructor will look at the how the driver deals with various traffic situations on familiar roads and make recommendations to help ensure continual safety.
The session is arranged at a time and place convenient to participants who prefer to use their own vehicle. This is an informal and confidential session which simply aims to enhance current skills. It is not a driving test, so there is no pass or fail.
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.