PARENTS can take the back seat while their children get behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa this February half term.

Young Driver, which provides driving lessons for 10 to 17-year olds, will be running an event offering youngsters the chance to drive a real car.

The event held at Bicester Heritage on Tuesday, February 19, allows children to drive brand new, dual controlled Vauxhall Corsas with highly qualified instructors by their side.

They will drive round a special road system created with traffic signs, roundabouts and junctions, along with areas to practice manoeuvres such as steering, control and parking.

Laura White, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: “February half term can be a tricky one in terms of finding things to do – the weather doesn’t always make it easy. But letting your child get behind the wheel of a car in a safe, fun environment is certainly something they’ll never forget."

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But children should not go to the event expecting a 'Formula 1' experience.

Oxford Mail:

The main purpose of Young Driver’s event - and its driving lessons which are available at the weekends - is to teach children road safety.

Research from road safety charity Brake found that despite 17 to 19-year-olds only making up 1.5% of driving licence holders, they are involved in 9 per cent of all fatal and serious crashes in the UK.

Shona Nutter, head of PR said: “When young people at the age of 17 start driving, they have a lot more going on in their lives such as exams, and often have a lot of peer pressure to pass their test first time.

“When they learn earlier with us, they can focus more on safety without worrying about gear changes and clutch control. We find that children are more receptive to safety messages and take it more seriously when they learn at a younger age.”

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ALA insurance company found that just over one in five new drivers had been involved in an accident during their first year of driving and 26.12 per cent of new drivers aged between 18 and 24 had an accident in their first year.

Mrs Nutter said: “It is not about speeding, we want children to understand blind spots and stopping distances now so that we can create a safer next generation of newly qualified drivers."

Youngsters will get to drive round the special course along with other children so they will also experience driving with cars on the road.

Young Driver usually operates at Bicester on weekend dates across the year.

To book a place at the event or a lesson go to www.youngdriver.com.