There is overwhelming support in favour of a minimum learning to drive period to tackle road crashes caused by young drivers. 

Currently being considered by government, it would mean learner drivers would also have to take lessons on motorways and drive in difficult conditions – including rain and potentially even snow and ice. 

In a new survey of 1,000 motorists by road safety charity Brake, 84 per cent agree that there needs to be a minimum learning period for new drivers, while 69 per cent of drivers under 25 are in favour of such a scheme. 

With such overwhelming support, the road safety charity is also calling for post-test restrictions on novice drivers, such as a zero tolerance drink drive limit and a ban on late night driving and carrying friends. 

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: “The government has an opportunity to make a real difference to road safety and save a lot of young lives through reforming our driver licensing system. Death and serious injury on roads is devastating, especially so when it involves someone young, with their whole life ahead of them. 

“Evidence on how to reduce young driver crashes is very clear - by introducing a system of graduated licensing we can expect to make real inroads to ending the devastation caused by young driver crashes. We're calling on government to take bold steps by introducing all elements of graduated licensing - including a minimum learning period and post-test licence restrictions - but without compromising safety by simultaneously introducing changes that would increase risk, such as a lower minimum driving age.”

There is also widespread support for a range of post-test restrictions, including 70 per cent in favour of a zero-tolerance drink drive limit for novice drivers, and 63 per cent of those under 25 support this. 

Six out of every ten drivers believe the minimum learning period should be set at 35 hours of supervised driving. 

One lady who this year passed her test was quick to jump behind the wheel of her new car. 

That lady is 19-year-old Rachel Blacklidge from Preston. She was driving home at 11.30pm on February 23, 2013. She had only passed her test two months before on January 4. She picked up her cousin and two friends to go for a drive, as they often did.

Rachel was travelling at 55mph on a 60mph road, when she lost control on a bend, crashing through a bush and two fences before the vehicle rolled over. One passenger's head was pushed through the closed window by the force of the crash, leaving him with cuts to his head. Rachel''s cousin suffered cuts on her arms, while her other friend injured his elbow. Rachel herself suffered severe whiplash, a spinal injury, torn ligaments and cuts. The car was written off. They were lucky to survive.

Rachel said: “The crash has left me traumatised - I can't believe I put my friends in so much danger. Just because a road sign says 60 doesn't mean you have to go at 60 or that it's safe to do so. It's so easy not to see something or judge something wrong, especially when you're a new driver and not used to the road. 

“Now I feel very strongly about informing young drivers about road safety. We''re lucky to have survived with only minimal injuries; many other young people aren't so lucky.”

With young drivers involved in crashes that result in 20 per cent of all road deaths and serious injuries, something major needs to happen to make driving a safer experience for all.