Mercedes Benz Driving Academy launches in UK

We are all only too well aware that it is younger drivers who are responsible for the majority of accidents on UK roads. The statistics are clear – 1 in 3 drivers killed or seriously injured are under 25. And the argument has long been that the earlier youngsters can learn to drive the better. Not on the roads, but in a closed environment. They become much more experienced and familiar with the whole concept of driving before they ever get near the road.

I was lucky. I spent a lot of my childhood on a farm and got behind the wheel of a tractor at 8 and was driving a Land Rover by 10. And I drove fairly regularly before I hit the roads. That experience meant just four lessons and a couple of weeks before I passed my test. And, fingers crossed, I have never had an accident of note in more than 2 million miles of driving.

The Scandinavians put a lot of weight behind this early training ethos, and get youngsters behind the wheel as soon as they’re big enough. They have a very low accident rate amongst younger drivers in comparison to our own, and you only have to look at the ability of the Finns in particular behind the wheel to see the fruits of this early real driving experience.

Mercedes Benz also see the sense in this, and have just announced the launch of the Mercedes Driving Academy in the UK. Offering three levels of training – Pre-Road Module (12-16yrs), Provisional License Module (17yrs +) and Post Test Module (for those who have passed their test) – at the Mercedes World Centre in Weybridge (the same location as you get to try out the McLaren SLR if you have deep pockets). Under the tuition of expert, certified trainers, the young drivers learn to master all aspects of the car and driving in a safe, controlled environment.

This wide-ranging tuition is perfect for the keen learner driver and Mercedes should be applauded for the initiative. You can find further details at The Mercedes Benz Driving Academy website.