CarKraft driving courses
CarKraft celebrates 25 years of transforming young driver safety in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is celebrating a major milestone this year as CarKraft, the county’s flagship free young driver intervention programme, marks its 25th anniversary.
Since its launch in 2001, CarKraft has helped over 30,000 young and emerging drivers develop essential real‑world driving skills delivered in partnership with the Kier Road Safety Team on behalf of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Councils, alongside Volvo, BYD, Adrian Flux Insurance, Forterra, Northamptonshire Police, National Highways, IAM RoadSmart Northampton and a dedicated team of local driving instructors and hosted at the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone.
Find out more about CarKraft.
A proven success story in road safety
Over the last quarter‑century, the programme has made an undeniable impact on reducing casualties on Northamptonshire’s roads.
Young driver Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) figures have fallen from 66 in 2001 to just 9 in 2024 - an 86% reduction.
Total young driver casualties have dropped from 345 in 2001 to 127 in 2024, the lowest level recorded since 2018.
These long‑term reductions demonstrate the effectiveness of Northamptonshire’s evidence‑based, partnership‑led approach to road safety.
A quarter century of innovation
CarKraft was originally created in response to a disproportionately high number of young driver casualties in Northamptonshire, with driver error, speed, inexperience and distraction repeatedly identified as key factors in fatal and serious collisions.
The free programme has since evolved into a multi‑pathway offer, including:
- starting off workshops for non‑drivers
- observed drives with police and advanced instructors
- practical driving sessions using the Porsche test track
- kick‑plate and ice‑hill familiarisation to build hazard awareness
- large goods vehicles familiarisation
- parent/guardian engagement sessions
- safer driving workshops and over‑60s courses
This combination of hands‑on skills, behavioural education and early intervention has been recognised nationally, with CarKraft receiving multiple industry awards.
Allan Rigby, General Manager, Kier Infrastructure, Northamptonshire says:
CarKraft’s 25 years show what strong partnership and focused education can achieve. The long‑term fall in young driver casualties is remarkable, and I am proud Kier has helped shape a programme that continues to make Northamptonshire’s roads safer.
Looking ahead
Demand for CarKraft continues to outpace the number of places available, with every session quickly filling as soon as dates are released. The programme continues to evolve in response to new vehicle technologies, emerging risks, and the changing needs of young drivers.
As Northamptonshire marks 25 years of CarKraft, it also celebrates the thousands of safer journeys, safer decisions and safer futures shaped by this unique and long‑running initiative.
Bikeability
Bikeability is ‘cycling proficiency’ for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today’s roads. Funded by the Department for Transport and delivered to the National Cycle Standard, it supports safer, more sustainable journeys to school.
Training is delivered in three progressive levels:
• Level 1 - Basic control and bike handling
• Level 2 - Safe riding on quieter roads (typically Years 5 + 6)
• Level 3 - Confident cycling in more challenging traffic (secondary age)
Bikeability training is offered free to all schools, independents and youth groups. The training is outsourced to Outspoken Training. Find out more: [email protected] - The National Cycle Standard Training [email protected] - Telephone 01223 473820.
Last updated 05 August 2026