ABI says younger drivers “should have year of lessons”
August 30, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Younger drivers – traditionally a higher risk when it comes to car insurance – have been recommended to take a full year of lessons before their test.
The advice, from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), would in effect raise the driving age limit in the UK
A one-year rule of sorts is already in place in other European countries, with the ABI citing Sweden in particular as a positive example for the UK to follow.
Association spokesperson Malcolm Tarling said: “We suggest a minimum of one year pre-test driving experience before you get to the stage of taking your test.
“The overall aim is to reduce the number of young newly qualified motorists and their passengers that die or are seriously injured on the road.”
He added: “The key thing is to ensure that young drivers, once they have passed their tests, are better equipped to be in control of a potentially lethal weapon.”
The ABI’s position is backed up by recent research from the House of Commons Transport Committee.
It reported last month that adoption of a one-year training programme prior to all UK driving tests would reduce the UK’s road accident rate.
Statistics from the Department for Transport show that 3,150 people were killed on roads in the UK during 2006.
