March 2006 - A new course could help protect young drivers against the recent increases in vehicle-related violence.

Figures suggest that 85 per of drivers have been involved or witnessed an incident of road rage in the past year and around 10,000 car-jackings were reported in the same period.

However, a new training course could help young drivers avoid such situations by teaching them self-defence, avoidance tactics and driver awareness.

The two-day course, a joint venture between driver training company AcciDON'T and martial arts specialist Krav Maga Scotland, will use a variety of techniques to help promote road safety and how to avoid being involved in a collision.

Simon Johnston, the director of AcciDon't, speaking to the Times, said the course could also help motorists cope with aggressive driving from other road users.

He explained: "Everybody wants to be top dog on the road these days. We are all under a lot more pressure and people are taking that into their cars."

In particular, young drivers could use the techniques to help lower insurance costs as it would enable them to drive safely and reduce the chance of being forced to claim on their policy.

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