Motor Vehicles & Road User Studies
Our Team
Mr G. Millar
Teacher
Mr P. Toman
Teacher
Our Department
For many years it has been accepted that our educational system must equip young people not only with the knowledge to pass examinations but with the skills necessary to cope with everyday life after school. In that context one of the most important life skills is the ability to cope with road, and driving conditions as they exist in Northern Ireland today.
The loss of young lives is both tragic and largely avoidable. The importance of road safety teaching has been clearly recognised by the listing of the subject within the Education Reform Order (Nl) 1989.
Each year the number of fatalities and serious injuries continues to rise. This subject gives pupils the opportunity of a greater insight the reality of being a Road User both now and in the future.
GCSE
The course is available as a full GCSE delivered during Years 11 & 12
The GCSE is structured into 3 main elements
- A theory paper earning 60% of the overall marks.
Just like any other full GCSE a choice of Higher and Lower Tier papers can be taken. The Foundation Tier Paper lasting 1.5 hours will carry a range of grades from C-G inclusive. The Higher Tier Paper lasting 2 hours will carry grades from A*-D (E) with E being awarded to those narrowly failing to achieve grade D.
Topics covered in theory section
The Highway Code :- Understanding the basic rules and regulations for all road users.
Environmental Factors and the road user :- Understanding how and why different weather conditions effect the road user.
Human factors which effect the road user :- Understanding how health problems, and disabilities effect a driver or road users performance.
Alcohol abuse :- Understanding how alcohol effects a person with special reference to the road user.
Legal requirements of being a driver :- Understanding about driving licences, MOT, Insurance and other documentation needed to be a legal driver on the road.
Financial costs of being a driver :- Understanding what costs are involved in being a driver including the buying and selling of vehicles.
Post Accident procedure :- Understanding what to do if involved in an accident or helping at the scene of one.
Motor Vehicle Technology :- A basic understanding of what happens under the bonnet when the engine is started and the vehicle is in use
- An Investigative Study carried out during the two year course and with a marks allocation of 20%.
This will involve a detailed research study of traffic problems at a location near the school. Over the past several years the most popular type of project examines how speeding is a problem in Newry.
- Practical riding carried out on a moped within the school grounds, not on public roads, and carrying 20% of the marks.
Examination Board information
For more information from the Examination board, click here:
Motor Vehicles & Road Users Studies
GCSE Specification