THE third generation of an East Lancashire family has taken up tuition to become a better driver with a Blackburn road safety group.

Carl Sturgess was given the Blackburn Area Road Safety Association lessons as an 18th birthday present from his grandmother Lynn Cooper.

She is also learning how to be more responsible behind the wheel, following her 75-year-old father Frank Waddington, who has passed two BARSA examinations.

BARSA is a voluntary group that was set up over 40 years ago. It offers drivers who have passed their tests the chance to become more proficient at driving.

The course, which costs only £30, involves six two-hour driving sessions with an instructor who gives practical advice based on the ideas set out on the police driving manual, Roadcraft. Pupils can then go on to do the practical BARSA exam, which is overseen by a police examiner.

Lynn, 55, of Station Close, Wilpshire, said: "Carl took the Pass Plus test after he passed his normal test. He is a good driver, but he is doing the BARSA course because his parents do not want him to become one of the unfortunate statistics."

Lynn's father Frank took the BARSA test in 1973 and then again in 1993. He went on to take the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents driving test and passed to Gold Star standard.

Lynn's partner Alan Kay, 57, took the BARSA test in 1992. Backing the Telegraph's Wasted Lives campaign, Alan said: "When lads pass their tests they go and buy cars with big engines and speed around. They need to have restrictions placed on them until they can drive properly."

Carl said: "I don't like the fact that there's so many young drivers going out as soon as they've passed their test, and just going mad in their cars."