Industry News from Yes Insurance

There are calls for the age at which people can start driving to be raised in order to reduce the number of accidents on our roads.

Currently the age limit is set at 17, but as more and more teenagers die on the UK's roads every year, some experts would like to see that increased.

A coalition of motoring groups is putting pressure on the government to make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to obtain a driving licence and there are also calls for a number of other strict measures.

Among them are the introduction of a curfew, which could see new drivers unable to get behind the wheel between 23:00 and 05:00 and a limit on the number of passengers young drivers can carry.

"Most accidents involving young drivers are because of a lack of experience and there is an element of bravado in the way that they will drive," said Malcolm Tarling, from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

"If raising the age limit helps break this vicious cycle, then it has to be considered."

Young drivers are generally considered to be more likely to be involved in an accident, which often leads to teenagers paying higher car insurance premiums.

If the driving age is raised it will bring the UK inline with the rest of Europe which plans to bring in a harmonised licence by 2012.

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