A new club to encourage motorists in south Essex to learn safer driving techniques is speeding ahead.

NETRoADA - the North East Thames RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association - has attracted more than 60 members since its launch just five months ago.

The aim is to promote road safety in North East London and South West Essex through driver education.

Last year showed a sharp rise in the number of traffic deaths in Essex. Figures released earlier this month revealed there were 116 deaths on the county's roads in 2003 - a staggering rise of 26 per cent on the previous year.

But NETRoADA says the organisation, which holds regular road safety meetings and guides drivers towards the RoSPA advanced driving test, is experiencing 'fast lane success' in reducing the misery of terrible accidents.

Chairman Ray Woods said: "We have been thrilled by the level of interest, demonstrating that there are many on our roads who want to enjoy driving in the knowledge that there loved ones do not become a statistic."

John Lyus, a leading in-car child safety expert, is the speaker at the next meeting on February 3.

For details contact Ray Woods on 0208 2205477 or deputy chairman Jonathan Wernick on 020 5026768.

Published Friday January 30, 2004

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