WEST Devon driving instructors are this week being urged to sign-up with 'The Honest Truth', a road safety campaign which provides free resources for them and their pupils.

'The Honest Truth' is designed to help instructors deliver persuasive arguments for safer driving habits to their students, raising awareness of the major risk factors which cause crashes and cost lives. On average a young person dies on Britain's roads every 18 hours.

For over a year, several organisations have been working together to produce new products for 'The Honest Truth', which were unveiled last week.  They include a leaflet for young drivers and parents; teaching resource packs and in-car 'message of the day' prompt cards for instructors; posters; a car sticker; website and Facebook page.

The Instructor's Resource Pack covers all of the topics, supported with statistics, facts, real life stories and key messages to help them teach their students how to reduce their risk of crashing.  The resource is completely free for instructors in Devon and Cornwall.

West Devon Borough Council is supporting the campaign and urging as many local driving instructors as possible to sign up.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the chairman of the council's community services committee, said: 'The Honest Truth is a great way for driving instructors to share important safer driving messages with young people. It's all about encouraging small but vital changes which can save lives on West Devon roads.

'For too long there's been a void between the public sector and driving instructors — now we're working closely together to provide resources which are practical and reflect instructors' wishes.

'Nobody thinks the worst will happen to them, but sadly we've seen many avoidable crashes where young people have lost their lives.'

Sgt Olly Tayler from Devon and Cornwall Police, chair of The Honest Truth Partnership said: 'We're incredibly excited to be extending The Honest Truth campaign.  We've been working together on a brand new look and resources which instructors have told us they would like.

'You never forget the sights, sounds and smells of a major crash, and telling a parent that their child has died is the most heart-wrenching thing you can do.  Together we want to make sure that our learner drivers and their parents truly understand the risks, and hopefully we'll reduce the number of accidents involving young people on our roads."

Instructors can sign-up online at http://www.thehonesttruth.co.uk">www.thehonesttruth.co.uk, by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or calling 01626 215894.