Students get into gear with road safety GCSE

Students get into gear with road safety GCSE

22 January 2025

STUDENTS across the district are being given an opportunity to study road safety at GCSE level.

Stormont Roads Minister John O’Dowd has reinstated funding to support a course designed to improve road safety.

The Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies (MVRUS) GCSE course targets young people, who are sadly over-represented in road traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

The scheme supports ongoing work in education and training as part of the Strategic Priority Areas identified in the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030, which was launched last September 2024. 

The MVRS specification prepares students to become responsible road users and develops their interest in and appreciation of the motor vehicle.

Students develop knowledge of the Highway Code, learn about driving at night and under adverse conditions, as well as the causes and prevention of road traffic collisions.

In addition, they carry out a practical riding activity on a moped and investigate a real-life traffic situation. They also discover road users’ responsibilities and legal requirements and explore motor vehicle and road user theory.

The qualification, builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the Learning for Life and Work Area of Learning.

Mr O’Dowd said road safety was one of his key priorities.

“This year I launched a new road safety strategy to help keep our community safe while using our roads and education is an important part of that strategy,” he explained.

“Sadly, 68 people had their lives cut short and hundreds more were seriously injured on our roads last year and we have already lost lives in 2025. This causes untold devastation.”

Mr O’Dowd said that unfortunately, young drivers are more likely to be affected by serious road traffic collisions.

“We must all remember every day as road users to make potentially lifesaving choices, to be more mindful of others and proceed with care, follow the rules of the road they are there to protect us and help everyone get home safe.”