Skoda heads back to school with Citigo
Driving lesson provider Young Driver, is set to take delivery of 55 Skoda Citigo cars to be used at the organisation’s training sites around the UK with another 55 of the city cars being delivered during December. Young Driver is the UK’s only provider of driving lessons for children aged 11-17 and the Citigo cars will be put to good use at one of the 30 training sites over the next two years.
"Young Driver chose the Skoda Citigo because the car is stylish, economical and easy to operate, making it perfect for teaching young people to drive," said Kim Stanton, director for Young Driver.
Alasdair Stewart, brand director for Skoda UK, added: "Skoda is delighted to be the official car supplier for Young Driver. The Citigo is the perfect car for people to get their first taste of motoring, and I'm thrilled we're involved in an excellent initiative with a proven road safety record."
Young Driver has delivered more than 100,000 lessons to date, all on traffic-free areas such as shopping centre car parks, schools and academies. Complete and realistic road systems are created including junctions and roundabouts, road signs, traffic lights and parking areas, giving youngsters a head-start in learning car control skills and safe motoring.
This year alone, the Young Driver programme will deliver 60,000 lessons and has just started ‘Young Driver At School', an initiative which takes driving lessons to the playground.
"It's vital work because young people are the most vulnerable on the road," Stanton said. "One in five will crash within six months of passing their test. Young Driver can reduce inexperienced motorists' accident rate by 50%."
The Skoda Citigo cars have been ordered in red and white, the Young Driver colours. They are all fitted with dual controls for safer learning, and some will come with automatic transmissions and hand controls for use by disabled youngsters, including wheelchair-users.
Skoda’s involvement will grow during 2014 with Young Driver events being planned in retailer showrooms. Skoda staff and customers will also benefit from a 10% discount on lessons for their children.