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Should young drivers face stricter rules on the road?

Proposals set out by the Transport Research Laboratory are sure to stimulate plenty of debate in the UK, with the “ultimate graduated driver licensing scheme”

Young drivers may be banned from carrying people under 30 in their cars

Young drivers may be banned from carrying people under 30 in their cars

It has been widely publicised today that the Government is considering proposals to raise the legal driving age, introduce minimum learning periods and set curfews for younger drivers. The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has produced a report for the Department for Transport (DfT) setting out a ways to reduce the number of young and novice drivers involved in road collisions.

What are the proposals?

The report, “Novice Drivers: Evidence Review & Evaluation”, makes the following suggestions:

Learner Drivers

  • Minimum learner period of 12 months
  • Minimum requirement of 100 daytime hours and 20 night time hours of supervised practice
  • Lower alcohol limit of 0.2g/l
  • Mobile phone ban
  • Probationary licence can only be gained from age 18

Novice Drivers (12 months after passing)

  • Night-time driving restrictions for novice drivers (10pm to 5am) unless accompanied by someone over 30
  • Passenger restrictions: drivers under 30 not allowed to carry passengers under 30… unless accompanied by someone over 30.
  • Lower alcohol limit of 0.2g/l
  • Mobile phone ban

Why are they necessary?

Whether such major changes to the system are required is up for debate, but the reasons for change are quite clear: to reduce casualties on the road. While 8% of licence-holders are under 24, 1 in 5 road casualties are under 24. Indeed, road crashes are the leading cause of death in 18-24 year olds. More statistics can be found in our report on young drivers.

The authors of this new report from TRL claim that, if the recommended restrictions are enforced, they could cut casualties by 4471. It could also reduce car insurance premiums for young people by up to 20%.

What are the issues?

The suggested measures would almost certainly improve road safety (for everyone, not just the young drivers involved), but do appear to be rather draconian. For example, young people with jobs - especially in rural areas - may struggle to get to work if they are faced with curfews and restrictions.

We spoke to Neil Greig at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, who said:

“This is the ultimate graduated driver licensing scheme. They’ve gone for the longest minimum learning period, the strictest curfew and the tightest passenger restrictions in order to save the most lives.

“In the real world, it’s going to be very difficult to sell.

In the real world, it’s going to be very difficult to sell
For instance, not being able to carry a passenger under 30 is a tough restriction. At the IAM, we’d advocate exemptions for family members, for example.

“This is a good basis for debate. As a country, we need to look at this proposed scheme and see which elements will work best.”

And which elements does the IAM think will work best?

“Well, Australia has introduced a ‘1 peer per passenger’ rule, and that seems to have worked quite well. We support the notion of a minimum learning period to increase driver safety and give people the experience they need.

“We wouldn’t support a curfew, as this means young drivers wont get the experience they need of driving at night.”

The DfT will publish a full consultation before the end of the year, and new laws are on the cards. A Green Paper on younger drivers is expected imminently, although they have faced criticism for not releasing this sooner.

Debate on Twitter

Many people on Twitter are already criticising the proposals, saying:

“typical stereotype of careless young drivers! Adults are just as bad, sometimes worse! #discrimination” ([@JadeHurst7)

“the only way for young drivers to get experience is to get them on the road.” (@mintcrack)

What do you think about the proposals? Let us know on Twitter.

About the Author

Kirsty Cooke

Content Editor at Arnold Clark

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