A housing association in Dorset is helping to make the roads safer, by holding driver safety awareness classes for all its staff who drive.

Nearly 300 staff from Magna Housing have taken part in the training, run in association with Dorset County Council, which includes safety videos and an opportunity to test their skills on a driving simulator.

Steve Fowlie, Magna’s health and safety manager, said: “We have an on-going three year programme of safety events and this training is part of it.

“Our drivers, particularly our trades staff, spend hours out on the roads and so we want them to be the safest drivers possible.”

Jeff Parsons, part of Dorset County Council’s road safety team, helped to deliver the training.

He said: “In 2016, 366 people were seriously injured on Dorset’s roads and 16 were killed.

“Magna is being very proactive in playing their part in trying to reduce that number.

“This training is about reminding everyone about the things we can all do to lower the risk of coming to harm on the roads, such as keeping the speed limits and observing stopping distances.

Magna’s purchasing and waste manager, Patrick Hughes, attended the training.

Patrick said: “I found the training a really good reminder of the things we should do and a chance to test what I’d learnt.

“The simulator was really useful in showing just how long it would take to stop quickly if you had to, particularly if it is wet or snowing.”

Steve Fowlie added: “We want all our staff to drive as safely as they can and we absolutely do not condone bad driving.

“If any one sees any of our staff driving badly they should let us know straight away.”