Examples from Local Groups of how they promote their services
Local Newspapers/Publications
Local newspapers/publications often have a free local diary of events. The best use of local
newspapers is to use the editorial.We had a very supportive Police Casualty Reduction Officer
who included details of our courses when writing articles following serious local accidents or
other driving issues.
Local Radio
One station was prepared to interview us whenever a road safety issue occurred. Our most
successful series of broadcasts was with BBC Local Radio when one of their daily presenters was
persuaded to have advanced driver training live on air.
Internet
Undoubtedly, our most successful promotional tool is our website.We get applications for
membership and for courses through our website. It must be updated regularly – to show the
next meeting as a date that passed weeks ago can do more harm than good. Providing forms on
the website for interested parties to print off and send off is useful.
Local Partners
We have very successful partnerships with our Fire and Rescue Service, Local Police/Road Safety
Partnership and Local Authority Road Safety Department .We support their initiatives and
events, often sending representatives, and in return can use facilities such as meeting rooms,
and gain wider distribution of our promotional materials. It gives us opportunities to promote
our Group to the public.
At the end of our Better Driving Courses we invite a Casualty Reduction Officer to hand out the
certificates to the delegates. It gives the course credibility when delegates realise it does have
the support of the Police.
Details of the Group are included in the County Council’s Road Safety Handbook.
We have offered reduced rates for any young driver completing the Road Safety Training.
Many of these young drivers move on to Universities which is an avenue which we propose
to investigate.
Our Group developed a preliminary driving course for people who want to improve their driving,
but do not yet want to do a full advanced driving course. They were awarded an attractive
parchment certificate on completion.
Working with the other local driving groups can be beneficial as well as competitive.
Supermarkets
We have had crashed vehicles displayed in the car park which prompts the public to stop and
talk to the group member on duty.