Drivers have the chance to improve their skills by attending a Dorset Driver course organised by the county council.

The two-hour theory sessions, which do not involve any driving on the day, are presented at local venues by road safety professionals.

They give drivers of all ages and experience a chance to sharpen their skills and update their knowledge. For the first time, courses have been arranged during the evening and on Saturdays as well as during weekdays to enable as many drivers as possible to attend.

The course costs £5 per person and subjects covered include observation, distractions, safety margins, dual carriageways and roundabouts.

Research suggests that human error is a contributory factor in almost all collisions and that almost half the people killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s roads are in a car.

Dorset County Council road safety manager, Robert Smith, said: “Drivers who have attended courses in the past tell us that they were really useful and the opportunity to ask questions was particularly valuable.”

Courses are designed to address the most common causes of collisions in Dorset, namely poor hazard perception, lack of awareness and inappropriate speed. People who attend the courses also have the option to sign up for a 90-minute, one-to-one practical driving session on local roads, including town and country driving.

Details of how to book the practical will be provided at the refresher courses. A fee is payable.

Dates and venues for the Dorset Driver courses are as follows: Monday, June 20 – 7pm – The Salt House, West BayTuesday, June 28– 7pm – Digby Hall, Sherborne Saturday, July 2– 10am – County Hall, Dorchester Wednesday, July 6– 10am – Allendale Centre, Wimborne Thursday, July 14– 10am – Parish Centre, Blandford.

To book, call 01305 224558, or email: roadsafety@dorsetcc.gov.uk