RSOs unsure about 'year of lessons'

Road safety professionals are divided over whether learner drivers should undergo a minimum period of driving lessons, as suggested by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) recently.

The ABI says the measure could cut up to 1,000 serious injuries and deaths each year among drivers aged 17-21 years.

49 road safety professionals registered their views via our online poll last week, with 26 supporting a mandatory 12-month period of lessons before taking the test, and 22 against. One respondent was unsure either way.

There was also significant support for limiting the number of passengers a young driver can carry after qualifying through a graduated licencing system.

"I think a graduated licence approach may be more workable," one respondent said. "I'm sure that young people who wanted to, would find a way around a system that was too rigid. Limits on numbers of passengers and night-time driving may be more acceptable to them."

Arguing in favour of a set period before the test, another said: "By setting an evidenced minimum learning period, young drivers will not be under pressure to get through their test quickly, but will be encouraged to realise that learning to drive is a serious business. This period should also include a minimum amount of training for night, motorway and dual carriageway driving."  

However, another respondent was concerned about enforcement of any such scheme, and the negative response from learner drivers. "Any form of restriction carries an onerous burden in terms of enforcement," he said. "I foresee very negative responses from the vast majority of potential young drivers who are being penalised by the behaviour of the few."

Another respondent felt it is the quality and content of driving lessons and the test that needs reviewing. "They (learner drivers) would benefit more from proper instruction by ADIs on how to cope with the everyday situations instead of the 'test route' driving that they presently get," she said.

25.09.06 - Drivers 'need year of lessons'