QuoteLearner drivers should take lessons for a minimum of 12 months according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The plans are backed by motoring and safety groups, such as the RAC Foundation, which said they would lead to 1,000 fewer road casualties a year.

The proposals are intended to reduce the high numbers of young drivers killed or injured on Britains roads.

But the Department of Transport said it wanted to influence new drivers with incentives instead of regulation.

The plans were announced at a motoring conference organised by the ABI.

Stephen Haddril, director general of the ABI, said: "Every day, four people are killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers.

Getting worse

"The trend is getting worse not better.

"We urge the government to adopt these proposals to improve safety on our roads and reduce this tragic loss of life."

Other measures suggested include limiting the number of passengers carried by young drivers during their first few months on the road, and getting learners to record their hours and performance in a logbook.

A Department for Transport spokesman said the government treated the safety of newly qualified and young drivers very seriously.

"The driving test has been considerably strengthened in recent years and is one of the most demanding in the world.

"It takes longer to qualify for a driving licence than it used to.

"Candidates receive more professional training leading up to the test than ever before."

Robert Gifford, of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, which supports the ABI proposals, said too many young drivers were still killed or injured, despite some progress being made.

He said: "The proposals outlined here offer a way forward for this apparently intractable problem.

"I hope that the government will give them the serious consideration they deserve."

The road safety groups Brake, Roadsafe and the Make Roads Safe Campaign also backed the plans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5359426.stm

*yawn* Sick of that kind of sh*t and stigma for young drivers.

What a load of nonsense, if someone can drive to the standard to pass the test, then they can obviously drive. No matter how long your take lessons for you will not change the fact that as soon as a 17/19 year old guy passes his test, the first thing hell do is take his car for a blast down country roads at 2 in the morning at 80mph. THAT is where the problem lies, young males being reckless and inexperienced at the sort of driving that doesnt get taught or tested because they shouldnt be doing it in the first place. TBH I cant think of any scheme or legislation that will stop that behaviour.

I seem to remember the system in Sweden means that you can start learning when youre 16, but you cant actually take the test until you are 18. I think thats quite a clever way to get people practicing for a decent amount of time. What 16 year old would say "no mum, I dont want to try driving yet"?

They also have to complete 4 hours or so doing skid-training (in prep for winter months) - sounds like fun

my brother passed his test 1st time.. doesnt mean he can drive tho, IMHO he cant

In all my time on the road Ive never encountered a single problem with a young driver, the worst I see from them is racing off at the lights.

Middle aged sales reps, women and grannies/grandads seem to be the supreme morons of the road. Repeat tests for everyone driving a Mondeo, 4x4/SUV or over the age of 50 tbvfh.

Quote from: Clockd 0NeIn all my time on the road Ive never encountered a single problem with a young driver, the worst I see from them is racing off at the lights.

Middle aged sales reps, women and grannies/grandads seem to be the supreme morons of the road. Repeat tests for everyone driving a Mondeo, 4x4/SUV or over the age of 50 tbvfh.

yip i agree, had a vectra with the sort of driver youve describe pull out on me at a mini roundabout without looking at the weekend,
thank fook he finally saw me mind and anchored up as i didnt have enough room at stop when i realised he hadnt seen me, the bike did a stoppie in response to me hitting the brakes too hard and didnt touch the ground till id gotten through my exit.
 :shock:

big blast of the horn and seeing a spinning bike tyre at eye level hopefully should make him a bit more obserbant in future but i dont hold out much hope  :cry:

Quote from: Clockd 0NeIn all my time on the road Ive never encountered a single problem with a young driver, the worst I see from them is racing off at the lights.

fraid you cant argue with the statistics though.  Insurance is higher because they cost the ICs more, simple as that.

Quote from: funkychicken9000fraid you cant argue with the statistics though.  Insurance is higher because they cost the ICs more, simple as that.

Maybe...

So do you think women are safer drivers, like the statistics like to suggest?

Statistics are only as good as their data tbh, there could be a few reasons why more claims are put in by younger rather than older drivers. I dont think young drivers in their first year are fantastic, but they sure as hell know the highway code, etc better than an ageing sales rep or grandad that passed his test when the model T was in production and the requirements of passing were starting the car via crank.

the test is basically a test so u can control the car in normal circumstances

imo the only way ur gonna learn to drive is thru real world experience
i bet 90% of young people who have crashed and lived are much better drivers for it

Quote from: GoblinWhat a load of nonsense, if someone can drive to the standard to pass the test, then they can obviously drive. No matter how long your take lessons for you will not change the fact that as soon as a 17/19 year old guy passes his test, the first thing hell do is take his car for a blast down country roads at 2 in the morning at 80mph. THAT is where the problem lies, young males being reckless and inexperienced at the sort of driving that doesnt get taught or tested because they shouldnt be doing it in the first place. TBH I cant think of any scheme or legislation that will stop that behaviour.

As soon as they get PAYG road fees the same equipment will be used to monitor your speed and direction. The police will be inside your car. Mwahahaha!  

Quote from: Eddthe test is basically a test so u can control the car in normal circumstances

imo the only way ur gonna learn to drive is thru real world experience
i bet 90% of young people who have crashed and lived are much better drivers for it

Agreed.

Not nessecarily crashes but even close calls, or a less than dramatic spin out for example.  Everyone has done something silly before intenional or not, and realise, WTF am I doing?

Another sillly Idea, let the learners suffer more, more money into the pockets of instructors.

Im with clockd one on this one.

The majority of stupid driving is from the sales reps in their BMWs or Vectras.  Old people too. My sister passed her test 2nd time I think it was and I was scared in the car with her to the point of I want to get out and get a taxi home.

If you pass a test you should be able to control any vehicle, that your license allows so it wont go on the curb.

Sure going from learning in a 206 to a Volvo 740 is a big step, but still mounting curbs is just not taking notice of the road.

On a side note, when I have 3 years under my belt Im going to become a driving instructor

I dont think having learners learning for 1 year is going to do a whole lot except line the pockets of instructors. Its when youre on youre own. if you have some one in the car with you at the end of the year youre going to want to get on that B road faster to stick your foot down.

Quote from: mr_rollOn a side note, when I have 3 years under my belt Im going to become a driving instructor

...........

I dont think having learners learning for 1 year is going to do a whole lot except line the pockets of instructors.

So youre all for it then?  

Quote from: Thrawn

Quote from: mr_rollOn a side note, when I have 3 years under my belt Im going to become a driving instructor

...........

I dont think having learners learning for 1 year is going to do a whole lot except line the pockets of instructors.

So youre all for it then?  

Of course But really I think its a bad idea, I just think they should do some sort of harder test. 2 hrs long and tell the examiner what they are doing.

I dont think a 2 hr drive is bad at all. Its ok with some one in the car with you and if you cant hack 2 hrs of test then you shouldnt be allowed in a car.

Or you should have a MUCH harder test than pass plus a bit like above for those that want cheaper insurance