Last Friday, as one of the multi-member ward councillors, I went down to the Bellfield Park and spoke to some young people, the youth workers and to police colleagues.

They were in attendance at a specially-adapted police van which houses the equipment seen last week at the academy, where young people accessed PC interactive programmes and experience driving in various guises.

I witnessed real partnership working with Aberdeenshire Council staff and the police whilst engaging with young people and hopefully helping them see how being behind a driver behind the wheel of a car is an extremely responsible undertaking.

I had hoped to experience this myself at first hand, but alas there was a queue - maybe next time!

I did, however, speak to some young people who thought the whole thing was really good and made them think even just a little about what it is like to drive especially under difficult conditions.

The scheme is at present in the Marr area but I do hope we can roll it out to the other Aberdeenshire areas, as it can only be a positive tool in addressing the death toll of our young people on our roads.

Yours etc.,
Councillor Linda Clark,
Banchory and Mid Deeside Ward,
Aberdeenshire Council.