International Insurance News: The Association of British Insurers wants stringent rules for new drivers

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have said that it should be made mandatory for new drivers to spend at least a year  driving with their L-plates on vehicles before being allowed to sit for a driving test.

It pointed out that the young people must be allowed to start learning six months ahead of reaching legal limit to drive. The  association said that the one year learning period will allow young drives to have enough time to get more supervised practice. It  also advocated a graduated driver licensing for the first six months after clearing a driving test.

The ABI is recommending a limit of young passengers that can be carried by a newly qualified driver. The insurers also want to impose restrictions on driving between 11pm and 4am and no blood alcohol content for new drivers.

The association justified its recommendations by saying that drivers aged 25 and under make up only about one in eight licenced drivers in the UK. However, they account for a third of those killed on the roads. It also said that more than 27% of personal injury car insurance claims of more than £500,000 are due to a crash involving a driver aged between 17 and 24.

Director general of the ABI, Otto Thoresen, said, “Radical action is needed to reduce the tragic waste of young lives on our roads. A car is potentially a lethal weapon, and we must do more to help young drivers better deal with the dangers of driving. Improving the safety of young drivers will also mean they will face lower motor insurance costs.”