The Northern Ireland Assembly has recently introduced a package of measures designed to change the way young people learn to drive.
Following this news, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called on the UK Government to take similar action and implement a package of reforms that would include:
- Introducing a 12 month minimum learning period.
- Developing a more structured syllabus.
- Introducing a restricted phase where there is a limit of the number of passengers a new driver can carry, the time of the day they drive and a lowering of the blood alcohol limit.
These are all critical components of a Graduated Driver Licensing scheme, which are designed to provide new drivers with driving experience and skills over a longer period of time.
The ABI says that:
- The single biggest cause of accidental death of young people aged 15-24 is dying in a car.
- In 2012, 5,021 people were killed or seriously injured as a result of accidents involving at least one young car driver.
- As many as 15 families everyday are devastated by car crashes involving young drivers.
- 40% of 17 year old males have an accident in their first six months of driving.
"The Northern Ireland Executive’s introduction of a package of measures to change the way young people learn to drive is a meaningful and progressive reform that sets an example for the rest of the UK,” said James Dalton, Head of Motor and Liability at the ABI. “For too long politicians have failed to grasp the nettle of changing the young driver testing and training system. This not only fails young people but all road users.”
“While the reform in Northern Ireland falls short of the full measures the ABI is calling for, the Executive is to be applauded that, while Westminster sits on its hands, they have introduced a package of measures based on the international evidence that Graduated Driver Licensing works,” he added.
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