March 2006 - The UK's first self-defence course for motorists, lorry drivers and cabbies at risk from road-rage, car-jacking and assaults is being launched next week.

Britain’s first ever practical self-defence course for drivers, which includes lessons on unarmed combat pioneered by Israeli Special Forces, is to be launched this next week (March 21).

Increasing numbers of motorists, lorry drivers and cabbies faced with a growing tide of violent crime are to get self-defence lessons in unarmed combat techniques favoured by Hollywood celebrities and military experts.

AcciDON’T, one of the UK’s leading driver training schools, in association with self-defence experts Krav Maga Scotland, has devised a training programme to help professional drivers and ordinary motorists avoid road-rage incidents, reduce risks and protect themselves in almost any situation.

There were more than 10,000 reported car-jackings last year and a staggering 95 per cent of drivers claim to have been the victim of some form of road
rage - ranging from verbal abuse to violent attack.

"People are increasingly aware of just how aggressive the roads are these days," said Simon Johnston, of AcciDON'T.

"Women are more likely to admit their concerns than men but we hear tales from both sexes about incidents that have happened and for some people it can be very upsetting.

"More and more people are asking us for advice designed to diffuse any possible confrontations before they happen."

As part of the course participants will learn from a qualified psychologist to understand the reasons behind road-rage and human behaviour.

They will also be offered practical tips on how to keep themselves from getting stressed and angry which could lead to a situation.

“We are not trying to teach people to have-a-go but rather how to avoid a situation or diffuse one. If that doesn’t work we want to be able to give them the skills to defend themselves if they can’t escape,” said Mr Johnston.

As part of the two-day course, which is to be launched near Glasgow on March 21 and 22 before being rolled out across the UK, students will be taught self defence and personal security by experts from Krav Maga Scotland, using techniques pioneered by the Israeli military.

"This is the first course to teach simple, practical techniques which will enable drivers to protect themselves against armed or unarmed attackers," said Simon Leila, director of Krav Maga Scotland.

"It is designed for anyone from a learner or experienced motorist to a cabbie or lorry-driver.

"By teaching awareness techniques, backed up with a few simple self-defence moves we can provide people with a reasonable level of assurance.”

Roger Powell of MyCarCheck.com, which is licensed by the DVLA to provide details of stolen vehicles and other data to the public, said anything that helps to cut car crime is a move in the right direction.

“Vehicle crime costs consumers and taxpayers more than £3billion a year,” he said.

“More than 350,000 vehicles are stolen in the UK every year and as security is improved some villains having to turn to more aggressive tactics to get what they want.”

For further details please contact: Simon Johnston of AcciDON’T on 01436 678 018 or Simon Leila of Krav Maga Scotland on 07050 1997 10.

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