A new study by Brake, the road safety charity, has revealed 92% of people back some kind of restriction for newly qualified drivers.
The latest figures show 2,088 young drivers and passengers aged between 17 and 24 were killed and seriously injured in just one year. Drivers aged between 17 and 19 make up just 1.5% of those holding a UK licence, but are involved in 9% of fatal crashes.
Because of these shocking figures, Brake was keen to find out what the public thinks about the idea of extending the time it takes young people to learn to drive, and of putting some restrictions in place when people first pass their test. The idea of a graduated driving licencing system, which is now in place in a number of countries around the world, is to make sure young people are as skilled and as safe as possible when they go out on the roads unsupervised.
When asked what restrictions should be in place for the first year after someone is given a driving licence, two thirds (66%) of people questioned said they support the use of a “P” plate to show a driver in on probation. A similar number back a zero-tolerance drink-drive limit for novice drivers.
Half of those questioned said they think there should be a restriction on car engine sizes for new drivers, and more than a third of people think that a newly qualified driver should lose their licence if they break any traffic laws during their first year on the road.
Almost eight in 10 people (79%) said they think there should be a minimum time frame for learning to drive, and almost two thirds (62%) think that should be at least six months.
Three quarters of people (75%) said they think there should be a requirement for a minimum number of taught hours before learner drivers are allowed to take their practical test. Half of those questioned (50%) said they think people should have at least 35 hours of driving lessons before taking their on-the-road test.
Research shows that the combination of youth and inexperience puts younger drivers at high risk. Their inexperience means they have less ability to spot hazards, and their youth means they are particularly likely to take risks. In this way, crash risk not only reduces over time with experience but is also higher for those who start driving at a younger age.
Full survey results
Q1: Do you think learner drivers should have to undertake a minimum period of learning to drive before taking their practical test?
- Yes, less than six months 12%
- Yes, six months 47%
- Yes, a year 16%
- Yes, more than a year 4%
- No 21%
Q2: Do you think learner drivers should have to undertake a minimum number of hours of supervised driving before taking their practical test?
- Yes, at least 25 hours 35%
- Yes, at least 35 hours 25%
- Yes, at least 50 hours 25%
- No 15%
Q3: Do you think new drivers should have to abide by any of the following restrictions for a year after passing their test?
- Displaying “P” plates, to show driver is “on probation” 66%
- Zero-tolerance drink-drive limit 63%
- Maximum engine size 50%
- Restrictions on carrying young passengers, unless family/dependants 44%
- Restrictions on night driving (midnight-4am), unless for work/education 38%
- Revocation of licence if traffic laws broken during this period 35%
- None of the above 8%
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