New research has revealed that young people are lacking fundamental knowledge when it comes to looking after and servicing their cars, which could be putting them in danger. The study, carried out by Kwik Fit, the UK's leading automotive servicing and repair company, has shown that almost half (48%) of young drivers aged between 18 – 24 say they are getting behind the wheel of vehicles that are damaged.
Damaged bodywork is the most common vehicle issue, cited by over half (53%) of young motorists who admitted driving damaged cars. Faulty lights (12%), cracked or chipped windscreens (10%), bald tyres (10%) and damaged brakes or faulty gear boxes (10%) were also commonly named in the study.
In response to these findings, Kwik Fit will be taking part in a number of 'Roadster' events run by Essex Highways, designed to educate young people on the importance of vehicle maintenance in road safety. Staff from the several Essex Kwik-Fit Centres are travelling to a select number of local schools across the summer to provide masterclasses on basic car maintenance where attendees will learn some simple car checks that they can do themselves. The hands-on sessions focus on the importance of keeping a car in tip top shape when it comes to safety, looking at everything from tyre pressures and tread depth, to understanding what's under the bonnet.
Kwik Fit's Basic Maintenance masterclass is one of six 40 minute sessions held during the 'Roadster' events, which will include talks on 'Risk and Consequences' by Essex Police, a session on, 'peer pressure when travelling in a car with their friends' by Essex fire and rescue, and a session on 'Buying a Car' from Trading Standards.
After the masterclass, the Kwik Fit team will hold a fun quiz where participants will be given the opportunity to showcase everything that they'velearned.
Leon Deehy, operations manager for Kwik Fit said: "We're really pleased to be involved with Essex Highways, supporting these events. The findings from our research were particularly concerning and the Kwik-Fit teams in the area are glad to be able to play their part, ensuring young people in Essex are fully aware how important vehicle maintenance is when it comes to road safety.
"Many of these problems may sound minor, but issues such as chipped windscreens or bald tyres have the potential to be very dangerous. We want to ensure that young people have the knowledge identify car maintenance issues and solve them where possible. And if they can't deal with them personally, we want to show them the importance of getting professional advice, rather than just ignore a problem and leave it to get worse."
The road safety team from Essex Highways are responsible for organising and running the events across the county working in partnership with Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue Service. Successful events have already been held at lots of colleges and schools within the Essex area, with further 'Roadsters' to be held this week and throughout the summer.
Damaged bodywork is the most common vehicle issue, cited by over half (53%) of young motorists who admitted driving damaged cars. Faulty lights (12%), cracked or chipped windscreens (10%), bald tyres (10%) and damaged brakes or faulty gear boxes (10%) were also commonly named in the study.
In response to these findings, Kwik Fit will be taking part in a number of 'Roadster' events run by Essex Highways, designed to educate young people on the importance of vehicle maintenance in road safety. Staff from the several Essex Kwik-Fit Centres are travelling to a select number of local schools across the summer to provide masterclasses on basic car maintenance where attendees will learn some simple car checks that they can do themselves. The hands-on sessions focus on the importance of keeping a car in tip top shape when it comes to safety, looking at everything from tyre pressures and tread depth, to understanding what's under the bonnet.
Kwik Fit's Basic Maintenance masterclass is one of six 40 minute sessions held during the 'Roadster' events, which will include talks on 'Risk and Consequences' by Essex Police, a session on, 'peer pressure when travelling in a car with their friends' by Essex fire and rescue, and a session on 'Buying a Car' from Trading Standards.
After the masterclass, the Kwik Fit team will hold a fun quiz where participants will be given the opportunity to showcase everything that they'velearned.
Leon Deehy, operations manager for Kwik Fit said: "We're really pleased to be involved with Essex Highways, supporting these events. The findings from our research were particularly concerning and the Kwik-Fit teams in the area are glad to be able to play their part, ensuring young people in Essex are fully aware how important vehicle maintenance is when it comes to road safety.
"Many of these problems may sound minor, but issues such as chipped windscreens or bald tyres have the potential to be very dangerous. We want to ensure that young people have the knowledge identify car maintenance issues and solve them where possible. And if they can't deal with them personally, we want to show them the importance of getting professional advice, rather than just ignore a problem and leave it to get worse."
The road safety team from Essex Highways are responsible for organising and running the events across the county working in partnership with Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue Service. Successful events have already been held at lots of colleges and schools within the Essex area, with further 'Roadsters' to be held this week and throughout the summer.
