Cambridge United Scholars test drive new software
Cambridge United can today reveal an exciting partnership with driver safety programme Drive IQ, with the club's Under 18 scholars test driving the eye-opening software.
Driving is statistically the most likely cause of harm to 16-24 years olds and Drive IQ is a free, award-winning, online, e-learning platform that uses proven science and interactive technology to develop skills for hazard perception, danger anticipation, eye scanning, risk assessment and more.
Recognising the importance of such a key message, Cambridge United are proud to become the flagship football club and will use its links locally and on a wider scale to help raise awareness for the software.
The club's support of the programme takes particular relevance with two of Cambridge United's Under 18's academy side, Dylan Williams and Josh Burniston, recently involved in road traffic accidents. Alongside their fellow scholars both took part in a workshop at the Abbey Stadium last week which was delivered by co-creator of Drive IQ Emma Gardner. Click here to watch an interview.
Gardner is delighted Cambridge United have pledged their support towards the software, she said: “Drive IQ sits alongside football extremely well as it uses a coaching technique where the young person experiences hazardous situations behind the safety of a laptop. It asks questions as the modules go along and it doesn't actually give the young person the answer until the end when they've taught themselves the correct answer anyway.
“It encourages self-reflection and when they teach themselves, research has shown us this leads to better information intake and recall, which when and inexperienced driver has to make a life or death decision, the subliminal message that the software has left could save a life.
“It is free to every football club in the country and it has been proven to work"
Pleased that the club have put their name to a scheme looking to make an impact on such an alarming killer of young people, Chief Executive Jez George commented: "We’re delighted Cambridge United has become the flagship club for such an important message that in partnership with Drive IQ we will be able to push out to so many youngsters.
"The more hard hitting statistics you are given about the risks on the road to young people, the more you begin to realise that the club through this software can affect the lives of so many youngsters by delivering this message."
He added: "We are keen to raise awareness far further afield than just Cambridge United. We want to promote this nationally; we are playing in a national league and we therefore aim to help Drive IQ get into other football clubs and through the LFE programme that our scholars have all been educated in.
"Locally we can promote it though our links with secondary schools and sixth form colleges, which the club are desperate to enhance further. It is a message we are proud to support and one Cambridge United will do absolutely everything it can to hopefully play a part in saving young lives."
More information about Drive IQ can be found at the website by clicking here.