DRIVERS sent on courses as an alternative to being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention were no safer afterwards than other drivers, an investigation has concluded.

The evidence, which will come as a blow to those campaigning for education rather than prosecution for driving offences, found that 12 months after taking the National Driver Improvement Scheme (NDIS) many motorists were no better or safer drivers. This research evaluated the effectiveness of two-day NDIS courses offered to at-fault drivers involved in recent accidents in a number of regions.

The report, put together by the Department for Transport, concluded: ‘Although in the current research we found evidence of a modest improvement in attitudes towards safe driving for those who attend the course compared with a similar control group, we did not find reliable evidence that this translates into improved driving performance on the road.

‘Attending NDIS courses has only a modest impact on attitudes and this is not strong enough to translate into safety gains.’

The report recommended the structure of the courses be re-evaluated.