The ABI is calling for a minimum one-year learning period to reduce the high number of deaths and serious injuries involving young drivers. According to ABI-commissioned research published today, three out of four people believe that this measure would reduce young driver road casualties.
Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:
“Introducing a longer and more structured learning period may frustrate some youngsters, eager to get behind the wheel. But better this, than they become another tragic statistic.”
Despite a fall in the overall number of road accident casualties, more young drivers are killed or seriously injured on the roads now than fifteen years ago. Every day ten young drivers or their passengers are killed or seriously injured on the roads. Road crashes are the biggest cause of accidental deaths of young men aged between 15 and 19.
On the day (4 October) when changes to the driving test are introduced, independent research commissioned by the ABI among 2,500 adults, shows public backing for tougher measures to reduce young driver accidents:
– 75% of people believe that introducing a minimum one-year learning period would be the most effective step to reducing the accident rates of young drivers.
– Just over two-thirds of people (69%) see restrictions on the number of passengers that newly-qualified young drivers could carry as an effective measure to improve safety.
– 68% back a more structured education programme to inform young drivers of the dangers of driving.
Nick Starling added:
“Too many young drivers are still killed or seriously injured on our roads. A car is a potential lethal weapon, and we must provide more help to young motorists to better deal with the dangers of driving. A minimum one year learning period, and young driver passenger restrictions, would help ensure that today’s young drivers become tomorrow’s safer motorists”.
Source : ABI News Release
