New way to tackle bad drivers will be tried in county

Evidence shows that punishments such as fines, endorsements or disqualifications do little to alter drivers' attitudes or driving habits.

So now a driver improvement scheme is to be introduced in the Durham Constabulary area in the autumn.

Offenders will have the chance to volunteer for the scheme which could affect any punishment handed out by the courts.

It will aim to re-train those convicted of "due care and attention" offences as well as rehabilitation courses for drivers convicted of drink driving.

The scheme was outlined in a report by area road safety officer Stewart Withycombe to members of Teesdale Accident Prevention Panel.

In recent years, driver-passenger casualties in the force's area have not fallen in line with other groups of road users.

"There is evidence that those involved as the blameworthy party in collisions, or who are convicted of driving offences, are statistically far more likely to be involved in accidents in the future," said Mr Withycombe.

The scheme has already been tried in other parts of the country - the first time in Devon and Cornwall as far back as 1989 - with positive results and little evidence of re-offending, but Durham is one of the last areas to take it on board.

"The implementation of this scheme in the Durham force area is considered to be very beneficial to the aims and objectives of the county council's casualty reduction programme and targets," said Mr Withycombe.

The scheme has the full support of Durham Constabulary and Darlington Borough Council, while the county council, acting as service provider, will arrange courses, instructional staff, venues and administration support for the scheme, liaising with clients, police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority.

"The establishment of a scheme in Durham has included a lot of hard work by the road safety team over a considerable time period," added Mr Withycombe