• 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents.
• 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured.
• 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle km.
  

Theory tests
Since 1996, learner drivers and riders have had to pass the theory test before booking a practical test. Each year, around 1.2 million tests are taken. The test, which covers all aspects of driving theory relating to road safety and driver attitude, is delivered at more than 150 locations throughout the country.
Since January 2000, the test has been conducted on screen. Tests can be delivered in 20 languages and arrangements can be made to support candidates with special needs.
Since 14 November 2002, the theory test has comprised two parts. The multiple choice question element forms part one and a new hazard-perception element has been added to form the second part of the test. For more information about the New Theory Test please see the detailed section opposite.

Practical tests
DSA examiners carry out tests at over 350 centres around Great Britain. There are different tests for all types of vehicles: cars, large goods vehicles, passenger-carrying vehicles, motorcycles and specialist vehicles including tractors. During practical tests, learner drivers must demonstrate to the examiner that they can drive safely, complete certain manoeuvres and show an understanding of the Highway Code.

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
CBT was introduced by DSA in 1990. All learner motorcycle and moped riders must complete a CBT course before riding on public roads. Statistics show significant reductions in road traffic incidents involving motorcyclists following the introduction of CBT. DSA authorises Approved Training Bodies and their certified instructors to conduct courses for CBT and Direct Access (for riders of larger motorcycles). DSA sets the syllabus and monitors the courses to ensure they are provided to the required standard.

Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs)
A statutory register of ADIs was introduced in 1970. Since then, it has been illegal to give paid driving instruction unless the instructor is an ADI. Before inclusion in the Register, applicants must pass a series of exams administered by DSA.

Large Goods Vehicle instructors
DSA introduced a voluntary register of LGV instructors in 1997. The aim was to reduce accidents by raising the standard of training for lorry drivers. To qualify, instructors must pass a three part examination including theory, driving and instructional ability

DSA and the Prince Michael Awards
In 2002 DSA became the only organisation to be awarded two Prince Michael Awards in the same year. These were for the 'Arrive Alive' road safety programme and the 'What If?' series of road safety videos.

Arrive Alive programme
The DSA Arrive Alive programme is intended to help educate the young drivers of tomorrow. The programme began in 1997 when private sponsorship enabled DSA to embark upon a series of school visits. The widespread success of the programme has encouraged diversification into challenging new areas, including young offenders units, football clubs and military colleges.
Despite new drivers holding only 10% of full driving licences, they are involved in 20% of all road accidents and 25% of all fatal accidents. One in five drivers are involved in an accident in their first year of driving and three young people die every day in road accidents in Britain.
The 50-minute presentations are given by driving examiners in an informal style that encourages interaction. Important road safety messages are linked to practical advice about learning to drive and road accidents, with an emphasis on the benefits of safe driving. Further study is encouraged and Local Road Safety Officers, Approved Driving Instructors and the police are often able to offer additional support. An independent evaluation of the programme carried out by the British Institute of Traffic Education Research (BITER) confirmed that:

• Both tutors and students rated the presentations very highly and considered the content to be relevant to the specific age group targeted;
• The overall impact was very positive;
• Students' knowledge and attitude towards driving and the driving test improved;
• The presentations improved students' awareness that new drivers take longer to react to hazards than experienced drivers.

New drivers hold only 10% of full licences, but are involved in 20% of all accidents and 25% of all fatal accidents

The presentational format has been adapted into three modular-style programmes to allow us to diversify into young offenders units, youth referral schemes, youth teams of professional football clubs, and agricultural colleges as well as the Ministry of Defence staff induction course. We are working towards including organisations such as Youth Clubs UK and Military Colleges. Participating organisations are given a presentation folder, leaflets and a copy of the Moving Targets video, which emphasises the need to be aware of more vulnerable road users. Each student is given an Arrive Alive booklet, which includes advice on how to choose a driving instructor, some general road safety information and details of what the theory and practical driving tests entail. Each student also receives a sample theory test paper.
Our main objective is to visit every school and college in Britain while further developing our work with all organisations involved with 16-19 year olds. The Arrive Alive team can be contacted on: 0115 901 2676 or e-mail: roadsafety@arrivealive.info Further information about Arrive Alive can also be obtained from the DSA website: www.dsa.gov.uk.

The What If? series
The What If? series has won the Prince Michael Award category Improved Public Education - Driver Education. What If? is a range of videos and booklet-based training packages, designed to boost a driver or rider's ability to avoid accidents by raising their awareness of hazards. Recent research has shown that drivers can improve
their hazard awareness substantially as a result of a structured learning programme: the series has been produced as a direct result of these findings. The What If? range includes both car and motorcycle titles. The series has been officially endorsed by many leading road safety organisations, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The New Theory Test
The New Theory Test, introduced on 14 November 2002, now incorporates a hazard perception element. This comprises 14 film clips, showing real road scenes and potential hazards, and forms the second part of the new test after the multiple-choice question elements. People sitting the test are assessed on how soon they spot the dangers. Each candidate is tested on 14 film clips, each lasting approximately one-minute, chosen from a bank of 200.
The clips feature various types of hazard, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. The candidate should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as they see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score. Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 scoreable hazards. Candidates must pass both parts of the test in one sitting in order to obtain a theory test pass.
Over one million people take their driving test every year. However, one in five new drivers has an accident in the first 12 months following their test. Research conducted by DSA has shown that new drivers take up to two seconds longer to recognise hazardous situations than more experienced drivers. Driving techniques such as scanning the road ahead and looking for potential hazards can help learner drivers improve their awareness of dangers when driving.
Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State for Transport, says: "Too many accidents involve new drivers and it is therefore essential that they are aware of road hazards from the very start.

New drivers take up to two seconds longer to recognise hazardous situations than experienced drivers

"Nearly 10 people die on our roads every day - and we are committed to reducing that number. By concentrating on these danger awareness skills as soon as people start to drive they are given a valuable lesson for life - making the road safer for them and all road users. "This new test is a world's first and a credit to the Driving Standards Agency."
Gary Austin, Driving Standards Agency's chief executive, says: "Hazard perception testing will encourage learner drivers to spend more time developing danger-awareness skills that are second nature to more experienced drivers.
"We are committed to ensuring that the driving test is a rigorous assessment of a person's proficiency to drive and cope with the challenges of being a driver. The danger awareness dimension of the test will be an additional check to ensure that new drivers are fully prepared." Different pass marks have been set for the different categories of test. Out of a total of 75 marks, the pass marks are being phased in starting at 38 for car, moped and motorcycle tests rising to 44 by September 2003, increasing two marks at each stage. The initial pass mark for lorry and bus drivers will be 44 rising to 50. The pass mark for Approved Driving Instructors and the Voluntary Register for LGV Instructors will be 51 - with no transitional period. The increases in pass marks and their timing will be kept under review in the light of actual operational experience.
To support trainers and drivers in their preparations for the new test, the Driving Standards Agency has published an official guide to the new section of the theory test.
The guidance consists of a RoadSense video, pupils' booklet, tutor guide and handouts. Copies have been distributed free of charge to over 55,000 training bodies in the driver-rider training industry. In addition, and to help candidates prepare for their test, DSA has also produced a short information video which explains how the test works. During the early months of introduction this is being distributed free of charge to all candidates along with their test appointment letter.

You can read more about the new theory test on the DSA website at: www.dsa.gov.uk.