A recent survey by The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveals that more than three in four people believe there should be restrictions on young drivers after they pass their test. Most of those keen on some curbs reckon learners should have a minimum 12 months of lessons whist 71% supported restricting the number of young passengers that newly qualified young drivers were allowed to carry.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin revealed at the weekend that the Government is looking at a variety of curbs on young drivers, including a ban on carrying passengers who are not members of their family, or any passengers at all.
The ABI's head of motor James Dalton said: "Radical action is needed to reduce the tragic waste of young lives on our roads, especially among the 17-24 age group. A car is potentially a lethal weapon, and we must do more to help young drivers deal better with the dangers of driving. We are calling on MPs from all parties to join our campaign for safety for young drivers and encourage the Government to take these recommendations forward, helping today's young people become tomorrow's safe drivers."
The survey was conducted by YouGov, with 3,742 people polled. The ABI pointed to statistics that showed that last year as many as 5,419 people were killed or seriously injured in accidents involving at least one young car driver.
Linden Holliday ceo of MyDrive Solutions argues that whilst the current protocol isn’t best suited for inexperienced drivers, restricted licenses won’t change the inherent problems in the industry. Holliday believes that telematics can play a crucial role in not only reducing insurance premiums but also improving driving behaviour and road safety conditions. Holliday comments:
“Whilst it is encouraging to see the Government take measures to tackle young driver accidents, the reality is that imposing curfews or restricting passengers is merely adding yet another blunt proxy to an already limited approach to improving driver behaviour.”
“The majority of automotive insurance companies and government initiatives are yet to take note of the evolving technology surrounding driver behaviour and in turn are failing to prepare for the future, or even acknowledge the need to.”
“Motor insurance policy holders are accustomed to premiums that have been defined by predetermined proxies, whether that be age, gender, location or marital status and as a result, young drivers are often priced out of the market. Telematics simply allows those proxies to be at worst augmented, and at best radically changed, by a real understanding of exactly what level of risk a driver presents and provides young drivers with the opportunity to improve based on an personalised behavioural report.”
“In order to create an accurate profile of a driver’s behaviour, and price premiums accordingly, the industry would be wise to use the latest insurance telematics technology, monitoring drivers on a second-by-second basis as opposed to adding another limited proxy which won’t improve young driver capabilities. The data derived by this method allows a very accurate and granular assessment of the drivers’ capability and, therefore, the risk they present to both the insurer and the road. The policy premium can then be priced both accurately and fairly.”
John Henry - 26/11/2012 12:40
In Northern Ireland we have a method of restricting newly passed test drivers. On acheiving your driving test pass, you must display "R" plates for 12 months. This restricts you to a maximum of 45 MPH. It also allows other road users to identify an inexperienced driver and make allowances to cover eventualaties. If you receive 6 points within 2 years of getting a full licence, you automatically loose you full licence and must start at the " L " stage over again. ( Both theory and practical ) It is an offence not to show the "R" plate when driving. This system has helped reduce the number of young person accidents but it has also helped with foreign nationals who also want to sit their driving test.