LIFESTYLE - SUMMER 2017

MOTOR CLUB NorthWest Under 17 by Stephen Tasker

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ince the first days of motoring, cars and driving have always been a fascination for the young, fromstories of Noddy in his lile yellow car to the antics of the recklessMr Toad. Somany eagerly await their 17th birthday and their first chance to get behind thewheel and begin a lifetime of learning about drivingwhich continues to growwith experience. Building experience is exactly what learning to drive is as the driver learns to anticipate the actions andmaybe errors of other drivers responding before an incident occurs. Taking thewheel for the first timemany newdrivers are surprised at howmuch they have to learn. Coordinating clutch and accelerator and anticipating to brake, all of which are automatic reactions to the experienced driver. Insurance premiums reflect the amount of risk to the insurer and facts prove that young drivers aremore likely to be involved in an accident due to themmaking an error or failing to allow for themistakes of others. What every newdriver requires is practice and experience of different driving conditions fromquiet rural roads to busy city traffic including driving at night, in heavy rain and in other conditions when driving is more difficult. The Under 17Motor ClubNorthWest are delighted to be able to offer young drivers the chance to start to learn to drive and to build experience from the age of 14. Obviously driving off road on a private trackwith a trained and experienced instructor young drivers can learn the basics of driving such as clutch control, judging speed and distance and the surprisingly difficult but essential skill of parallel parking. Young drivers are also taught to learn andmost importantly to understandThe Highway Code so they fully understand all road signs which exist to help drivers andmakemotoring as safe as possible. Driving off road on a safe track young drivers can learn howeasily a skid can occur in wet conditions if an inexperienced driver accelerates of brakes at thewrong time. This is somethingmost newdrivers never have the opportunity to experience in a controlled situation. Our trained instructors not only show the young driver how this can occur but also how to avoid and correct. Young drivers are also taught how to correctly care for their vehiclewith aention to things which improve safety such as correct tyre pressures andwindscreen washers filledwith anti-freeze solution in winter – a dirty windscreenwith a low sun ahead is an experience a newdriver has to experience to understand how important this is to avoid.

We also teach young drivers the importance of correct vehicle

maintenance and how this reduces costs and improves safety. It is important that the young drivers appreciate that a badly maintained vehicle ismore difficult and less enjoyable to drive and significantly increases the risk of an accident. The Under 17Motor ClubNorthWest also allows young drivers the opportunity to participate inmotorsport events including both driving and themany other essential activities such as scrutineering andmarshallingwhich is essential to a successful event. Young Driver Training starts for drivers aged 14 at The Under 17Motor Club NorthWest – it’s fun but serious and professional, educational and enjoyable and gives our young drivers the experiencewe believe every newdriver should have before they take to the wheel for the first time on their 17th birthday. Membership of the Under 17Motor Club NorthWest is not restricted to persons aged under 17 and anyone interested to involve is welcome. For information about how to participate and become an Accrington Young Driver email steve.asmc@gmail.com or visit our website at www.u17mc-northwest.org.uk

Learn to drive at the age of 14!

Above top: Katy Hastings, aged 15 (started driving at age of 14). Above: James Robinson, aged 14 (First driving event was on his14th birthday - 3rd December 2016). Main picture opposite: Jim Livesey, Accrington MSC (behind car) with Tracey Smith, Accrington MSC (side of car). James Robinson at front of car.

Accrington Motorsport Club and U17MC NWwork together to put driving

events on at the M65 Junction 4 services four times a year. All are

welcome to drive at these events in your own car. For more information please visit accrington-msc.org

Inset left: James in Mini. Inset right: Katy in car.

Please note: the club is open to all ages as many of the instructors pass on up to 50 years of driving experience.

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