A PIONEERING public/private partnership campaign to encourage safer driving among young people has been shortlisted for four regional awards by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
'The Honest Truth' works with driving instructors across the south west, providing free resources to help them teach students about the risks of the road.
It brings together public services including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council and is actively supported by South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council. They work alongside driving instructors, with Peppers School of Motoring and Locke's School of Motoring representing the industry on its Board.
Almost 350 driving instructors across Devon and Cornwall have signed up to the clever teaching tool and many more want to get involved. It's also proved a hit with other parts of the country, with ten different areas contacting the founders to express their interest in running the scheme.
The CIPR West of England 'PRide' Awards are open to the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, making them hotly contested and highly coveted.
The Honest Truth has been shortlisted in the categories:
l Best Campaign £10k and under
l Best Not-for-Profit campaign
l Best External Publication
l Best Use of Photography or Design
The winners of the awards will also go on to compete in the national CIPR PRide Awards.
Sgt Olly Tayler from Devon and Cornwall Police, chair of The Honest Truth partnership, said: 'The team has worked really hard this last year to completely redesign and relaunch the campaign, and this just goes to show that hard work does pay off.
'I am very passionate about this campaign as it can help keep young drivers safe, something which you truly value once you've attended the scene of a serious or fatal crash.
'Knowing the risks of driving and ways to stay safe are hugely important, and for the first time we're working directly with driving instructors to reach young people.'
The award winners will be announced on Friday 9 November.