“The carnage on our roads caused by young drivers demands urgent action,” says Neil Greig, Assistant Director of the IAM Motoring Trust, in welcoming the House of Commons Transport Committee’s recommendations. “The best of these proposals must be included in the Driving Standards Agency’s (DSA’s) root and branch review of the driving test.
“Better driving skills alone will not solve the problems caused by some young drivers, who often know how to control a car and to drive well, but choose not to. Young people with negative attitudes to driving must be identified early. Attitudes are set at an early age and new techniques are required to help teenagers attain a safer mindset before they get behind the wheel. Young males who cause the worst problems need to be reformed or driven off the road.
The IAM Trust agrees with Gwyneth Dunwoody that enforcement of current driving licensing regulations is crucial before introducing any new system. Today’s extended test, the theory test and the rising cost of learning to drive are leading to more unlicensed driving. Greig warns, “Unless those who break the law are caught, any new system risks driving more young people into a criminal sub culture on our roads”.
Commenting on other Transport Committee recommendations, the IAM Trust made the following points:
- Banning alcohol behind the wheel in the first year of driving is a sensible move, but other impairments, such as drugs and fatigue are also factors. Inexperience too, is a factor too
- Banning the carrying of young passengers at night will be unpopular, as it is often when young people need their cars and want to give lifts, especially in rural areas.
- Consumers must also be able to have greater confidence in the standards and training of approved driving instructors if they are to play an official role in learning to drive
- Reducing deaths and life changing injuries to young people goes well beyond changes to driver testing and licensing. Parents have a role in ensuring their sons and daughters grow up with drivers who are positive role models, and who make clear the risks of driving with friends, overloading cars or driving at night on rural roads
- Research shows (notes to editors1) that fewer young drivers die in countries with the best overall safety record. Increasing survivability through designing safer roads and cars will have the greatest impact in reducing young driver casualties purely because they have more crashes
- Improved public transport and more responsible attitudes in society as a whole to drink and drugs also have a role to play
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Media Contacts
Neil Greig 020 8996 9772 neil.greig@iamtrust.org.uk
Barry Walsh 020 8996 9776 barry.walsh@iamtrust.org.uk
Media relations 020 8996 9777
Notes to Editors
1 The Road to Safety – OECD/ECMT report 2006
The IAM Motoring Trust is the research and advocacy arm of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)
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