BEING young, male and in charge of a vehicle on the roads can often put drivers on a collision course.

Now, in the first of its kind in the region, a new type of course promoting safer driving is being held in Poole.

Poole Adult Learning and Dorset Police have joined forces to run a series of driver awareness courses for new drivers and their parents.

In a bid to develop a safe approach to driving, parents are also invited along to offer their support and brush up on their own driving skills.

Areas covered include driver attitudes and concentration, observation skills, road positioning and motorway driving.

Statistics show that one in five new drivers have an accident in their first year, while one in three male drivers aged between 17 and 20 have an accident in their first year of driving.

"We are working with Dorset Police to ensure that people attending the course come away with practical and theoretical knowledge that will make them better and safer drivers," said Ian White, business and enterprise manager, Poole Adult Learning.

Brian Austin, temporary head of education for Dorset Police, said: "We understand that teenagers and their parents' views of safe driving are often different.

"This course aims to show how they can work together so that the whole family can drive safely. The course will give teenagers the opportunity to learn how to improve their skills and equally give parents a chance to brush up on theirs, with the most up-to-date information on the rules of the road," he said.

The three-hour course will be held at Oakdale on Saturday, October 27, from 9.30am, with further sessions on November 17 and December 15.

Drivers must be at least 17 years old, have passed their test or hold a provisional licence. To book call 01202 262300.

  • Dorset County Council's popular Refresh Your Driving Skills course takes place on Monday, October 22, at 1pm at Upton Town Council for £5. To book, call Simon Horlock on 01305 224558.