Industry News from Yes Insurance

The Transport Select Committee (TSC) is to reassess many of is rulings on novice drivers this week as part of a move to increase safety on British roads. Matters to be discussed include the minimum driving age, which many campaigners have demanded to be raised to 18 years old.

Other matters to be assessed include a minimum number of supervised driving hours before allowing a test to take place and graduated licensing, where a novice driver would have restrictions placed on their driving in the initial stages after passing a driving test.

Government figures estimate that nearly 38,800 people are killed or injured each year in collisions involving at least one driver with less than two years' post-test experience, of which 1,200 were young drivers under the age of 20.

Several studies have also revealed that many younger people are driving without an MOT, tax or car insurance, prompting calls for harsher penalties to be dealt out to young drivers who infringe the rules.

Tory MP Lee Scott, who raised the issue with the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, declared: "This is a problem which blights families and leave parents grieving for their children. If it saves one life, it is worth it. Hopefully it will save many thousands of lives."

Malcolm Tarling of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it was heartening that MPs had been listening to their concerns. "This is an important step towards making young and inexperienced drivers safe and reducing the carnage on our roads," he added.