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Young drivers to face night curfew as government proposes radical overhaul to driver training

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Published: 26 March 2013
New proposals by the government to improve the safety and finances of struggling young drivers were announced today at a summit for the motor industry, but could see young drivers forced into driving during daylight hours.

The government is to launch a green paper which could see improvements in driver training, lower insurance premiums and improved road safety. The insurance industry has welcomed the green paper, which would see a one-year curfew on new motorists driving in the dark unless they are traveling to and from work.

Young Drivers
The proposals the green paper will look at for overhauling the driving test are radical. From introducing a minimum learning period before being permitted to sit their test, learner drivers are set to take compulsory lessons on motorways, and perhaps even during adverse weather conditions or during darkness to encourage greater practice prior to taking a test.

The existing probationary period from two to three years for a new driver's licence could also be revoked if they receive six or more penalty points making the driving test more rigorous to better prepare learners to drive unsupervised incentives for young drivers to take up additional training after passing their test.

55-year-old Stafford-born Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "It is alarming that a fifth of people killed or seriously injured on our roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged 17 to 24. Improving the safety of our young drivers is therefore a real priority and will not only reduce casualties but should also mean a reduction in the sky-high insurance premiums they pay.

"I have been clear that I want to see insurance premiums reflecting conditions, performance and risks on the road. We have already done much as a government to address the concerns around motor insurance but more still needs to be done before young drivers feel satisfied they are getting value for money. I look forward to working with the industry and hearing from them how these proposals will help reduce premiums."

Young Drivers
The Association for British Insurers has welcomed the announcement, but suggested young drivers should undergo their test for a minimum period of one year.

Its Director General, Otto Thoresen, also said he hopes the government create new legislation to limit the number of young passengers and place restrictions on night-time driving for young drivers for an initial period after passing their test – with the exception of driving to and from work. 
His comments have drawn a huge amount of criticism as they come without any suggestion of how this would be enforced – rather like the mobile phone ban while driving, with drivers flouting the law knowing they can get away with it in most cases.

"Honest drivers should not have to foot the bill for a system that has been exploited by others to generate large profits for themselves," explained 51-year-old Justice Minister Helen Grant, a solicitor by profession and MP for Maidstone. "We have taken major steps to put this right, including changing no-win no-fee deals so lawyers can no longer double their money, banning behaviour which encourages questionable claims and tackling the whiplash problem. This will all help to create savings that insurers can pass on to their customers through lower premiums."

Motorists believe the government is being bullied into considering proposals by insurance companies or have to face the consequences of a nation of angrier drivers who could place blame on the government if it does not bring a halt to the ever-increasing costs for hard-working drivers.

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