DRIVING cautiously over the bumpy terrain, Robert Moreton listens carefully to instructor Sam's directions.
"Move up to second gear now, indicate to turn left," she tells him. "Oh, would you like a mint?"
Robert, 16, turns to Sam. "Watch the road!" she warns.
"See, that's how easy it is to be distracted when driving. You have to learn not to be."
This is Robert's first driving lesson, a 15-minute taster behind the wheel on an off-road track. An hour later he will watch a film portraying young drivers being seriously injured when they fail to pay attention to the road.
He and 44 other sixth formers from Shenfield High School are experiencing Roadster: an all-day event run by Essex County Council, the police, fire service and driving instructors.
The aim is simple – to make sure these young people do not become casualties on the road.
Robert said: "I was nervous at first but it was easier than I expected. I will feel more relaxed next time. We've all learnt a lot."
Alex Rickenbach, who begins driving lessons in April, said: "I feel more confident now. I'm pleased I've been able to come along and have a go."
Sam Carter, who owns Sam's Learners, said: "I have had two friends involved in very serious road accidents, one of whom died as a result of not wearing a seat belt in the back of a car and I am passionate about passing on road safety advice.
"Roadster gives teenagers road safety awareness before they start driving so hopefully it will stick at the back of their minds. I think it should be compulsory for all 16 and 17-year-olds.
"I offer them a mint to show them how easy it is to be distracted. Hopefully they will remember that."
Tony Milhill, who runs APass4U driving school, has given a taster lesson to around 3,000 teens since he started taking part in Roadster.
He said: "The enthusiasm from these young people is brilliant.
"They come away not only having learnt something about road safety but also they have had fun."
The Shenfield students have come to Barleylands in Billericay. In a barn, Trading Standards' Chris Missen talks about buying used cars.
He said: "The advice we give is to text the registration of the car they are thinking of buying to check its history. "It costs £3 but is money well spent."
Jordanna Clark, 16, said: "It's useful to know this and to remember not be taken in by the look of the car."
Road safety officer Gillian Beale said: "One of the aims of this day is to show them that driving is fun but it can all go horribly wrong. The day is balanced with some grim and some fun stuff."
Officers from Essex Fire and Rescue also showed a film called Driving with Grace about an incident involving a young driver ploughing into a group of friends in Southend a few years ago.
