Drivers Call For Tougher Measures For Learner Drivers

AS THE GOVERNMENT gears up to roll out a new syllabus for learning to drive and additional measures of competence behind the wheel from October 2009, the vast majority of British drivers are calling for even more action to toughen up the process of learning to drive and save young lives.

Nearly nine out of ten drivers (87 per cent) want learner drivers to gain a specified minimum level of experience behind the wheel before they can take their test.

Compulsory ADl Lessons

According to the research by motor insurer Direct Line and Brake, the road safety charity, which surveyed more than 1,000 drivers, of the nine out of ten drivers who are in favour of statutory on-road experience, six out of 10 (59 per cent) also wanted learners to have compulsory lessons with an instructor. As well as tightening up pre-test rules, British drivers are also keen to put restrictions on novice drivers for a period after they have passed their test.

More than eight out of 10(81 per cent) drivers surveyed called for restrictions including: a zero drink-drive limit; a ban on driving powerful vehicles; a curfew on night driving; a ban on driving on motorways; and a ban on carrying lots of passengers who are not family members. Many of these restrictions are already enforced in other countries. Three out of four drivers in favour of restrictions (75 per cent) said they should be imposed until a driver was at least 20 years old.

Restrictions

Although older respondents were more likely to be in favour of restrictions on young drivers, a large proportion of young drivers themselves are also in favour of restrictions. Even among the youngest age group surveyed (aged 17-24), more than half (54 per cent) thought restrictions should be imposed. Brake Chief executive Cathy Keeler said: "This isn't about discriminating against the young - it's about protecting the next generation of drivers, who are most at risk of killing themselves, and often their young friends, causing the most unimaginable, terrible grief to families and communities. "Young drivers are more likely than any other age group to die, particularly young male drivers. Often the causes are predictable - such as speeding, drink or drug driving, or overtaking where it isn't safe. Often young drivers feel invincible and over-confident in their abilities, and also face distractions or peer pressure from other young people in their vehicles. Consequently they often take risks, show off, or lose concentration, causing their own deaths and their friends deaths,"

Pre-driver qualification

The Government is planning to roll out a road safety pre-driver qualification that can be taught in schools. From October 2009 this qualification will count as a partial credit towards the theory test for car drivers. Brake and Direct Line's survey shows that this measure has drivers' support. Almost all (95 per cent) think road safety should be taught in schools, with almost four in five (79 per cent) saying the Government should go even further and make road safety a compulsory school subject.

Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting Direct Line Car Insurance, says: "There is a genuine need for many young drivers to gain greater driving skills than under the current testing system. Once the driving test has been passed additional post-test training should also be incorporated to form lifelong learning. We want to see tougher Pass Plus and speed awareness courses"

Original article contained in August/September 2009 "Driving Instructor" magazine.