Problem drivers could soon be going back to the classroom instead of being prosecuted.

Under proposals put forward jointly by North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and the police, drivers who are involved in collisions or are stopped by police could be sent on a one-and-a-half day Intensive Driver Training Course.

Motorists will go "back to basics", spending time in the classroom and going out on the road with instructors as an alternative to appearing in court and receiving a fine and penalty points.

A pilot project in Devon proved successful, and highways chiefs hope to have a similar scheme operational in North Yorkshire by April.

David Lindsay, road safety officer for the county council, said that motorists and the public did not benefit from the current system.

"If drivers go to court they do not learn anything to improve their driving. They just leave with a fine and a chip on their shoulder," he said.

"We hope to change driving styles for the better and improve road safety."

Peter Evely, head of highway regulation and safety at City of York Council, denied that the course was a soft option.

"It will hit them in the pocket - the course will cost around £100 - and will be an extremely intensive course.

"The system will iron out the bad habits we all pick up.

"We are hoping to get to the driver so that we will have a much safer community."

The running of the course will be put out to tender next year.

See COMMENT: 'Back to basics for bad drivers'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.