The cross-part MP’s making up the transport committee has reported that a ‘more rigorous’ driving test would have the effect of cutting accidents and improving traffic flow. The government is said to be considering the committee’s report ‘carefully’.
The report called Out of the Jam says: ‘The overwhelming view from the evidence we received was that aspects of poor road user behaviour led to increased congestion’.
‘Firstly, by directly causing incidents and accidents, often linked to safety issues; and secondly, by inappropriate road use, which is not necessarily unsafe, but which adversely affects the flow of traffic’.
The report estimates that jams will cost the UK economy in the region of £24bn a year by 2025 because of delays to deliveries and business meetings.
Young Marmalade, the young driver specialist, was one of the insurance companies that contributed towards the Department of Transport debate about changes to the driving test that reported to the Commons Committee.
“From Young Marmalade’s point of view safe driving is the key to reducing accidents which in turn reduces the insurer’s liability,” said Nigel Lacy, co-founder of Young Marmalade.
“Obviously, the most important thing is that young people drive safely and responsibly but we accept that there would be a probable contribution to reducing congestion. We would consider that there are many elements that effect road congestion,” he said.
Louise Ellman, Transport Committee chairman said: “Improving the way we manage road space so that the network runs more smoothly is vital to the prosperity of the nation.”
The Committee reported that motorists did not always keep abreast of changes to road signs and the driving law after they had passed their tests. A free Highway Code mobile phone application was one option suggested to improve driver information.
Onward - 19/09/2011 13:31
Changing the driving test or 'making it harder' will achieve little or nothing. New drivers 'fired up' to do their best to maintain high standards soon lose their enthusiasm because they see poor, selfish and arrogant driving around them every day, usually from people who passed their tests so long ago they have forgotten them. Congestion will only improve when drivers en masse decide to behave better on the roads and have more tolerance, understanding and knowledge of what they are doing. Simply leaving more space would be a great start, but impossible for so many drivers to do.