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Led by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Road Safety Team, and funded by Welsh Government, Mega Drive is a road safety initiative to educate prospective young drivers aged 16-17 about the responsibility of driving a vehicle.

The initiative aims to develop good driving skills and to highlight some of the riskiest situations that young people may find themselves in. As well as preparing new drivers, the sessions also look at passenger safety and offers young people ways of intervening to prevent collisions and take control of situations they may encounter. 

Mega Drive is a multi-agency project, encompassing the support of partners including A2Z of Motoring, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, South Wales Police and St John’s Ambulance. 

Taking place in October 2026 at A2Z of Motoring in Swansea, the course included interactive workshops on topics such as the importance of maintaining your vehicle; what to do if you break down or are involved in a road traffic collision; and the laws around speeding, seatbelt safety, mobile phones and the probationary period for new drivers.

Pupils were also able to practice CPR with St Johns Ambulance and experience the effects of drugs and alcohol using beer goggles and VR simulation. 

Sessions also discussed how young people can support their peers to be safer drivers and how passengers can positively influence a driver’s behaviour.

The most popular feature of the event was the opportunity for all pupils to have a taster driving lesson with a driving instructor on a private road network provided by A2Z of Motoring. 

Cllr Wyndham Fryer Griffiths, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said:

“New young drivers are some of our most vulnerable road users and Mega Drive enables us to engage with young people before they get behind the wheel so that we can reduce the risk to themselves and other road users.

“This proactive initiative gives young people their first experience of being in the driving seat, whilst providing vital safety information and instilling a positive attitude towards driving.

“I would like to give my thanks to all the partner agencies involved. We are looking forward to working with them in future to ensure that our young people can continue to benefit from this important initiative

“Our special thanks to A2Z of Motoring for hosting the event and providing the unique road layout and driving instructors which made it so informative and memorable for the pupils.”

For more information on road safety in Neath Port Talbot visit: https://www.npt.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/npt-road-safety/