Driving Test changes for new drivers.

[flip-flop]

In an attempt to try and curb the number of new drivers having accidents - which is massivley disproportionate to the numbers of drivers on UK roads, apparently the test is going to be extended in time and difficulty and there is going to be a probabtion period.

Hear hear - let's take it one step further and increase the driving age to 21, if not accross the board then certainly for young men.

Young men do not have the maturity to handle the responsibility of driving a car.

Would also ease congestion.

Thoughts?

[jake-the-peg]

I have actually done the maths on the available statistics based on the age group, gender and critically the number of miles driven. This is also allowing for the percentage of the driving population in each age and gender group.

The statistics broadly support your suggestion although Actually per mile driven young men under 21 are only the second worse category Women over 70 are worse but I think this may be skewed by the fact that women live londer than men

I calculate the number of collisions per thousand miles adjusted for percentage of drivers are as follows:

AGE..........Male.........Female
17-20........303...........205
21-29........158...........160
30-39........101...........127
40-49.........61..............78
50-59........49...............79
60-69........49...............89
70+............101...........443

The numbers are averaged and adjusted a lot so they are only really meaningful relative to each other but there does seem to be a significant drop above 21.

However there is a significant benefit to young people being able to drive especially for people living in rural communities. Remember not all of us live in London!

Other options worthy of consideration might be restricting the power of cars that yougsters can drive and critically the times that they can drive.

One Insurance company is offering young people cheap insurance if they don't drive between 7 and 5 (I think it is) there's a box of electronics in the car to police it. Most accidents involving young people happen during these times.

Perhaps a curfew for drivers under 21 might be worth considering

[mjhunt59]

I have a huge issue with this as people don't realise its just as vital for 17-21 olds to have transport as it is for someone older. I do agree there are some idiots on the road but then there are lots of cars clearly driven by older drivers that go flying along motorways at 90+mph all the time and thats hardly mentioned. Surely not all the crashes in this age group are as a result of boy racer driving as a lot of people perceive. I personally think it has alot to do with road experience and wouldn't have a problem with people suggesting a minimum of 60-80 hours of taught/assisted driving compared to the current average of 40 hours

[sam spade]

what about fitting :R: plates to the car after passing their test, this restricts the driver in the first year to 50 mph and also lets others know that they have just passed their driving test..... they used to do it in n.ireland, i dont know if they still do, or how successful it was. or if it was compulsery or not..

[well-driven]

Joining a scheme like well-driven.net would enable newly qualified drivers to monitor feedback from other road users for the first year or 2. Using this info, the driver could take action to re-train in areas that need attention before an accident occurs or points are added to their licence.

Check out www.well-driven.net for more details