Developed by KCC's Safer Road Users Team, the Young Driver and Passenger programme is available to Year 12 and 13 students across Kent and Medway.
Working in partnership with Medway Council, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service and National Highways, it aims to improve the safety of young drivers and passengers, who continue to be over-represented in collision statistics.
In Kent and Medway between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025, 123 passengers aged 17 to 24 were killed or seriously injured. Of these casualties, 72% were in vehicles driven by someone aged 17 to 24.
The programme, will help young people to develop the knowledge and confidence to make safer decisions both behind the wheel and as passengers, helping to reduce the risk of serious collisions and their consequences.
Currently, the course consists of four virtual sessions which explore some of the key factors that contribute to collisions involving young people and encourage safer decision-making.
The programme is free to all educational settings and is now being enhanced with the addition of a fifth session which aims to teach young people what to do if they are involved in, or witness, a collision.
Delivered by a Road Safety Officer, the session is supported by a film which all partners contributed towards. Drawing on their expertise and experience, the organisations share advice on staying safe following a collision, alongside advice on legal responsibilities and the steps that may need to be taken while waiting for emergency services.
Participants will learn what to do at the scene, how to help keep themselves and others safe, and how best to support emergency responders attending an incident.
On behalf of the partnership, Mark Bunting, KCC's Road Safety spokesperson said: "Our Young Driver and Passenger programme helps students understand the real-life consequences of the decisions they make in vehicles and the responsibilities that come with travelling in a vehicle. The course gives them the knowledge and confidence to make safer choices that help keep themselves and others safe.
"The new post-collision session builds on that by preparing young people for the actions they may need to take if they are involved in, or witness, a crash. While no one wants to find themselves in that situation, knowing how to respond safely and effectively can make an important difference for those involved and for the emergency services attending the scene.
"The programme is strengthened by the expertise of our partners, whose experience and insight have helped ensure these important road safety messages reach young people across Kent and Medway."
KCC was recognised with the 2024 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its outstanding achievement and innovation in road safety education.
The new fifth session will be rolled out imminently to all secondary schools and colleges currently signed up to receive the Young Driver and Passenger programme.
Schools and colleges interested in finding out more about the programme can contact Kent County Council’s Safer Road Users Team or Medway Council’s Road Safety Education Team.
- Kent: saferroadusers@kent.gov.uk
- Medway: roadsafety.education@medway.gov.uk
