The Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership in the UK has collaborated with a number of garages in the area to continue an interesting and innovative initiative aimed at building trust between garages and motorists. 

The programme featured a number of garage open evenings, which it is hoped can combat the very real issue of “garage anxiety”. This is when drivers are concerned about taking their vehicles to garages for services or repairs as they are worried about being ‘ripped off’, have a lack of trust in garages, or fear a large bill they cannot afford.  By providing drivers with appropriate information and demonstrating the technology and training required to carry out repairs, the open evenings aim to ease driver concerns. 

Another important aspect is to show how avoiding services and repairs puts drivers and passengers at risk in terms of road safety and possible fines and penalty points. 

The Partnership says it invited drivers to come along to meet the mechanics, have a look around the garages, ask questions and be given tips and advice on how to carry out simple maintenance checks on their vehicles. 

James Godley, Retail Operations Director at Protyre Autocare, one of the participating workshops said, “We are committed to providing honest advice and supporting local communities and our experts welcome the opportunity to help educate drivers on the regular checks they should undertake on their vehicle and when to seek expert advice.” He added, “We hope that this project will help to break down barriers for local young drivers and provide that all-important confidence boost while also demonstrating that we are very much here to help.”

Sharon Hilton who is leading this project for the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership said, “In a recent survey of drivers aged 17-24 years in Warwickshire, just 3% claimed they had delayed or ignored an MOT when it was required, compared to 50% who stated they had delayed or ignored a service when it was required.  The main reason given was the fear of the cost or being overcharged by the garage due to their age and inexperience. By addressing these anxieties directly and encouraging drivers to meet and talk to the mechanics, we aim to give all drivers the confidence to find and visit garages they can trust and raise awareness of being able to spread the cost of service and repairs to make them more affordable.”