New, young drivers, may face new laws when learning drive under plans to reduce accidents being considered by the Government.
Some of the suggestions include introducing mandatory lessons in the dark, motorway driving as well as a more rigorous practical driving test. New drivers could also be made to spend a year learning before taking their tests.
A fifth of road accidents resulting in death or serious injury involve drivers under the age of 24 and the risk of accidents is significantly raised at night.
The transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said: “It is alarming that a fifth of people killed or seriously injured on our roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged 17 – 24. “Improving the safety of our young drivers is therefore a real priority and will not only reduce casualties but should also mean a reduction in the sky-high insurance premiums they pay.
“I have been clear that I want to see insurance premiums reflecting conditions, performance and risks on the road. We have already done much as a government to address the concerns around motor insurance but more still needs to be done before young drivers feel satisfied they are getting value for money.”
The Government will publish a Green Paper setting out the proposals in more detail later this spring.
Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research for the IAM, said: “It makes no sense that the current system abandons new drivers after the test to learn by their often fatal mistakes, but any new approach must be based on saving lives and not reducing insurance premiums warns the IAM.
“The IAM support post test help for new drivers but we are worried that curfews and restrictions will merely restrict their ability to gain the real world knowledge that will save their lives.”
Is if fair to place curfews and restrictions on young drivers or should they be treated the same as older drivers? Let us know what you think.
Mar, 27, 2013