The 50,000th person has just completed the Pass Plus scheme for newly qualified drivers. Support for the scheme is accelerating with numbers participating increasing by over 50% in the last year. Yvonne Jackson from Hull, the 50,000th person to complete Pass Plus explained why the scheme is increasing in popularity:

- "I passed my practical test at the third attempt but still felt a bit nervous at driving especially at night and on motorways. Pass Plus really helped my confidence and improved my driving skills. I was also able to save £184 on my insurance with Provident Insurance for my B-reg mini which more than covered the extra lessons. I would recommend Pass Plus to all new drivers."

Pass Plus was set up in 1995 by the Government as an important road safety initiative, designed to help reduce accident rates of young, inexperienced drivers. It was against the background of young drivers being up to seven times more likely to be involved in an accident than more mature motorists. The scheme was relaunched in April 1997 with new incentives and greater insurer support. Currently 16 insurers support the scheme and they account for 63% of the UK private car market.

Commenting on the rising numbers taking Pass Plus, Tony Baker, Chairman of the Pass Plus Board, said:

- "Pass Plus helps save lives and serious injuries by encouraging newly-qualified drivers to take extra lessons to improve their practical driving skills and experience. It makes sense for mew motorists. It makes sense for their parents who worry about them when they are on the roads as inexperienced drivers. It makes sense for insurers who reward Pass Plus motorists with a one-year no claim bonus on their insurance, which helps reduce the cost."

Recent Pass Plus motorists include:

• Miss F Henney, a 17 year old student from Stowmarket in Suffolk who insured her Renault Clio Paris with Ecclesiastical Insurance - her insurance premium would have been £540 but she paid £405 after a £135 Pass Plus discount. Her mother commented:
  
  

  "Premium reduction good from parents points of view as they pay. 'Touch wood'' - neither son or daughter has had an accident since taking the test. Pass Plus is very good as it gives them experience of motorway and night time driving under guidance of the usual driving instructor. So many young people have an accident after taking their test - this would help to give them experience."




• Mr R Bulleyment, aged 18 from Grantham in Lincolnshire insured his Renault Clio 1.4 RT with Royal & SunAlliance. The premium before the Pass Plus discount was £1002 and, after a discount, he paid £753. He explained:
  
  

  "Not only was I delighted to gain a sizeable discount on my first insurance quote as a result of Pass Plus, but I also found I gained valuable confidence - particularly with motorway driving."




• Mr Steven Beckitt, aged 20 from Rotherham, insured his Ford Fiesta with CIS Insurance. His premium would have been £643 without Pass Plus. With Pass Plus he saved £92 and paid £551. The company comment that these premium savings will increase with each claim free year since the NCD will be one level higher than without Pass Plus. By the time Steven reaches the maximum NCD the savings will be £425.



• Miss G Sullivan, a 19 year old from Runcorn in Cheshire insured her Austin Metro City with Ecclesiastical Insurance. The premium without the discount would have been £385 but with Pass Plus she saved £96 and paid £289.



• Mr Kohei Kataoke, aged 17, insured his Toyota Carina with CGU and, thanks to Pass Plus saved £353 with a discounted premium of £1413. He commented:
  
  

  - "I took the Pass Plus course because I wanted to be a better and safer driver, it has also helped to obtain a discount on my motor insurance."

Notes

1. Examples of insurance cheats who have been caught out are attached.



2. A leaflet describing the Pass Plus scheme is attached. Pass Plus has a full Internet site (http://www.passplus.org.uk) which is continually being expanded. Early in the New Year it will include Pass Plus driving instructors with a search facility to locate the nearest ones in a particular locality. Copies of the Pass Plus leaflet are available to the public from the Pass Plus Board, 51 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HQ.



3. The Pass Plus hotline telephone number for information is 0115 901 2633. This is manned by staff from the Driving Standards Agency.



4. Insurers representing over 63% of the private car market in the UK currently support Pass Plus. The insurers are:
   
   

   Admiral	General Accident
   AGF	Guardian
   Churchill	Highway Motor Policies at Lloyd's
   Co-operative Insurance	Norwich Union
   Cornish Mutual	Pearlt
   Diamond Insurance	Privilege
   Direct Line	Provident Insurance
   Eagle Star	Royal SunAlliance
   Ecclesiastical




5. A picture of Yvonne Jackson with her mini is available.



6. Media enquiries to:
   
   Tony Baker 020 7216 7400
   Ros Arkins 020 7216 7401



7. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.