Government looks at steps to make New Drivers Safer

Government looks at steps to make New Drivers Safer

Road safety action plan to explore if Graduated Driver Licences should be introduced in England.

www.afzal-driving-lessons.co.uk

·         Graduated Driver Licensing is to be  explored further in a bid to cut new driver crashes

New drivers could face limits on what they can do on the road, to ease them into a lifetime of safe driving.

The government will publish road safety action plan, later this week.

These new schemes could put restrictions on new drivers, such as a minimum learning period, not driving at night, or not driving with passengers under a certain age in the car.

One in 5 new drivers crashes within their first year on the road, and so any changes would be designed to help reduce this number and improve road safety.

Graduated Licensing Schemes already operate in New Zealand; New South Wales and Victoria in Australia; New York and California in the USA; Ontario and British Columbia in Canada and in Sweden.

Previously these schemes have been rejected due to concerns that it would adversely affect the ability of young people to get on in life — potentially restricting education and jobs.

However, conducting further research means the Department for Transport can build an evidence base to fully understand how graduated driver might work.

Currently, new drivers have their Driving Licence revoked if they accumulate 6 points within the first 2 years — equivalent to points for using a handheld mobile phone while driving or 2 speeding offences.

The government changed the driving test in December 2017 to reflect modern-world driving conditions, including adding a satellite navigation section.

Learner drivers are now also allowed to travel on motorways with an approved driving instructor to climatise new drivers to these roads.

Any changes to licensing will be consulted on before being introduced.