The parents' campaign for safe driving tuition

Frequently asked questions

Question 1: When was the campaign started?

Initial research was carried out between August 1988 and February 1989. First press interviews took place in May 1989.

Question 2: Who started the campaign?

Vicki Stone, the bereaved mother of a teenage road crash victim.

Question 3: When was Learn and Live officially launched?

At a Press Conference held at the House of Lords on October 24th 1989.

Question 4: What was the initial aim of Learn and Live?

To stop young, newly qualified drivers supervising other learners.

Question 5: Was this successful?

Yes. Since 1990 supervisors must be at least 21 and with a minimum of 3 years as a full licence holder.

Question 6: What is the main aim of the campaign?

To reduce the unacceptable level of death and injury among young learner and novice drivers and their young passengers.

Question 7: What is the current objective of the campaign?

For P plates to be compulsory as part of a Graduated Driving Licence.See aims and objectives.

Question 8: What is the approach?

Our activities are aimed at accident prevention rather than punishment and fall mainly into 2 areas:
Offering educational information and practical advice to reduce the unacceptable level of death and injury among young drivers, their passengers and other road-users.
Lobbying for common sense, cost-effective legislation to provide a framework for ongoing education.

Question 9: Is Learn and Live a registered charity?

No. It is a non profit-making organisation. The campaign is run by volunteers and no salaries are paid.

Question 10: How is the campaign funded?

There is no regular source of funding. We rely on sponsorship and donations. Parents subsidise the campaign and wherever possible projects are completed by the parents with free professional expertise.

Question 11: What else has the campaign achieved?

When Learn and Live started, little attention had been given to the high level of death and injury among novice drivers and their passengers. Now the issue is well publicised and at last is being given the attention it deserves.

Learn and Live has promoted and lobbied for compulsory probationary plates for novice drivers. We have produced voluntary plates and the increased use of the latter is largely due to the efforts of our campaign.

Learn and Live has worked with other road safety organisations to gain:

• The separate Theory Test in 1996.
• The New Driver Act ( a 2-year probationary period allowing a maximum of 6 penalty points) in 1997.
• Longer length practical driving test in 1999.
• The introduction of compulsory Hazard Perception Testing, due to be introduced in 2002/3.

Question 12:Is Learn and Live allied to any political party?

No. We have support from all parties.

Question 13: How many members do you have?

We do not make a membership charge so we cannot give an accurate number but our supporters have inundated MPs and Ministers with letters of support for our campaign objectives.

Question 14: Whose views do you represent?

Bereaved parents of road crash victims.
Approved driving instructors.
Police.
Road Safety Officers.
Teachers and students.
Road safety organisations.
Magistrates.
General public.

Question 15: Are drugs, drunkdriving,"joyriding" involved?

No. None of our youngsters was was driving illegally.

Question 16: What methods do you use to achieve your aims?

We seek out relevant research projects and disseminate the information.
We produce a CD-ROM road safety resource.
We produce and distribute advice and information for young drivers, their parents and other interested parties.
We lobby and brief Members of Parliament and have meetings with Road Safety Ministers.
We respond to Government Consultation papers on road safety issues.
Learn and Live is represented on the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport Safety.
Supporters take part in road safety events alone or together with other road safety organisations.
Representatives attend and speak at conferences and seminars.
We issue press releases and take part in press and media interviews and programmes.

Question 17: What media coverage has there been?

Learn and Live representatives have been interviewed for all the main national papers, both the broadsheets and (to a lesser extent) the tabloids.
The campaign has featured on television on BBC1, Channel Four, and ITV1 in addition to local news coverage.
Radio coverage has been frequent and on all main channels and many local radio stations.

Question 18: Has the work of the campaign been recognised?

Learn and Live's founder, Vicki Stone was awarded the Prince Michael Road Safety Annual Award in 1990.
Learn and Live's PR consultant was awarded the Institute of Public Relations Sword of Excellence for Learn and Live..
Vicki Stone was awarded an MBE in 1995.
Learn and Live was Highly Commended by the Prince Michael Road Safety Awards in 1999.
The Wolverhampton Express & Star, won a prestigious newspaper award for its P plate campaign with Learn and Live.

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