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Safety chief backs novice driver curbs

1:40am Thursday 19th July 2007

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A call for tough new restrictions for novice drivers before and after taking their test have been backed by a Bradford road safety chief.

A report published today says drivers with less than one year's experience should have a zero alcohol limit before they get behind the wheel, have restrictions on carrying passengers and continue to learn to drive for at least 12 months.

A Commons Transport Select Committee report into novice drivers believes imposing measures on the newly-qualified drivers will cut the number of road deaths caused by inexperience.

It recommends a minimum 12 month learning period for new drivers be introduced, meaning no-one under 18 would be driving unaccompanied.

Learners should be also forced to drive in different weather and lighting conditions. Instructors would sign off each module once the learner has "consistently achieved the required standard." Motorway driving should also be introduced if deemed "necessary."

Novice drivers would be banned from carrying any passengers, aged between ten and 20, from 11pm to 5am for a fixed period after passing their test, the report says. The current drink-drive level should also be cut to zero for the first 12 months.

A study in West Yorkshire on young drivers is expected to be published shortly.

Steve Thornton, co-ordinator of road safety services in the Bradford district, said: "We largely support the measures announced, but would question the details and the logistics of delivery and enforcement - and we would like to see this put into a broader framework of road safety responsibility."

Mr Thornton said many young drivers were safe and measures should not penalise those who are sensible.

And he has called for any change in alcohol limit to be across the board.

He said: "We would not want this initiative, to reduce death and injury caused by young drivers, to lead to unsustainable policing demands."

The report also urges the insurance industry to re-examine high premiums slammed on supervised learner drivers to encourage more young people to take out policies and not drive uninsured.

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Your Say YourBradford Telegraph and Argus

jeffrey mann, france says...
6:38am Thu 19 Jul 07

whilst I agree to some of the measures in this article I think that as with motor cycles the engine size of
the car should be limited to a maximum of 1400cc for the first 2 yrs

Report this post »

jeffrey mann, france says...
6:38am Thu 19 Jul 07

whilst I agree to some of the measures in this article I think that as with motor cycles the engine size of
the car should be limited to a maximum of 1400cc for the first 2 yrs

Report this post »

jeffrey mann, france says...
6:38am Thu 19 Jul 07

whilst I agree to some of the measures in this article I think that as with motor cycles the engine size of
the car should be limited to a maximum of 1400cc for the first 2 yrs

Report this post »

jeffrey mann, france says...
6:38am Thu 19 Jul 07

whilst I agree to some of the measures in this article I think that as with motor cycles the engine size of
the car should be limited to a maximum of 1400cc for the first 2 yrs

Report this post »

smb, holmewood says...
7:18am Thu 19 Jul 07

i think the driving age should be put up to 21 also older drivers need to sit a retest, has any one reading this had to come out of were the hsbc bank is on Tong Street to go straight forward onto Knowles Lane? its a nightmare with traffic coming off Knowles lane all drivers think they have the right to turn right no one gives way, but i'll give credit were credit is due they do indicate......So all you drivers leaving Knowles Lane on to Tong Street if your indicating ( or not)to turn right GIVE WAY to oncoming traffic

Report this post »

smb, holmewood says...
7:18am Thu 19 Jul 07

i think the driving age should be put up to 21 also older drivers need to sit a retest, has any one reading this had to come out of were the hsbc bank is on Tong Street to go straight forward onto Knowles Lane? its a nightmare with traffic coming off Knowles lane all drivers think they have the right to turn right no one gives way, but i'll give credit were credit is due they do indicate......So all you drivers leaving Knowles Lane on to Tong Street if your indicating ( or not)to turn right GIVE WAY to oncoming traffic

Report this post »

smb, holmewood says...
7:18am Thu 19 Jul 07

i think the driving age should be put up to 21 also older drivers need to sit a retest, has any one reading this had to come out of were the hsbc bank is on Tong Street to go straight forward onto Knowles Lane? its a nightmare with traffic coming off Knowles lane all drivers think they have the right to turn right no one gives way, but i'll give credit were credit is due they do indicate......So all you drivers leaving Knowles Lane on to Tong Street if your indicating ( or not)to turn right GIVE WAY to oncoming traffic

Report this post »

smb, holmewood says...
7:18am Thu 19 Jul 07

i think the driving age should be put up to 21 also older drivers need to sit a retest, has any one reading this had to come out of were the hsbc bank is on Tong Street to go straight forward onto Knowles Lane? its a nightmare with traffic coming off Knowles lane all drivers think they have the right to turn right no one gives way, but i'll give credit were credit is due they do indicate......So all you drivers leaving Knowles Lane on to Tong Street if your indicating ( or not)to turn right GIVE WAY to oncoming traffic

Report this post »

SA, says...
9:29am Thu 19 Jul 07

I think Mr Mann is spot on, all new drivers should be restricted to driving cars no more than 1400cc max. As I for one have come across too many mainly young males driving High Powered Sports Cars around B'ford. This then leads to the problem we have of having too many uninsured drivers as the penalties are alot cheaper to pay off than a Fully Comp Insurance cover!!!

Report this post »

SA, says...
9:29am Thu 19 Jul 07

I think Mr Mann is spot on, all new drivers should be restricted to driving cars no more than 1400cc max. As I for one have come across too many mainly young males driving High Powered Sports Cars around B'ford. This then leads to the problem we have of having too many uninsured drivers as the penalties are alot cheaper to pay off than a Fully Comp Insurance cover!!!

Report this post »

SA, says...
9:29am Thu 19 Jul 07

I think Mr Mann is spot on, all new drivers should be restricted to driving cars no more than 1400cc max. As I for one have come across too many mainly young males driving High Powered Sports Cars around B'ford. This then leads to the problem we have of having too many uninsured drivers as the penalties are alot cheaper to pay off than a Fully Comp Insurance cover!!!

Report this post »

SA, says...
9:29am Thu 19 Jul 07

I think Mr Mann is spot on, all new drivers should be restricted to driving cars no more than 1400cc max. As I for one have come across too many mainly young males driving High Powered Sports Cars around B'ford. This then leads to the problem we have of having too many uninsured drivers as the penalties are alot cheaper to pay off than a Fully Comp Insurance cover!!!

Report this post »

lynne, halifax says...
7:04pm Thu 19 Jul 07

I agree with both of the posts above about restricting engine sizes for young drivers. It seems common sense to me that if you dont allow inexperienced and young drivers to take control of a vehicle capable of controlling them, then the roads will be safer for us all. This has been standard policy where mtorbikes are concerned for years. Aren't car policies made by the same group of people..???

Report this post »

lynne, halifax says...
7:04pm Thu 19 Jul 07

I agree with both of the posts above about restricting engine sizes for young drivers. It seems common sense to me that if you dont allow inexperienced and young drivers to take control of a vehicle capable of controlling them, then the roads will be safer for us all. This has been standard policy where mtorbikes are concerned for years. Aren't car policies made by the same group of people..???

Report this post »

lynne, halifax says...
7:04pm Thu 19 Jul 07

I agree with both of the posts above about restricting engine sizes for young drivers. It seems common sense to me that if you dont allow inexperienced and young drivers to take control of a vehicle capable of controlling them, then the roads will be safer for us all. This has been standard policy where mtorbikes are concerned for years. Aren't car policies made by the same group of people..???

Report this post »

lynne, halifax says...
7:04pm Thu 19 Jul 07

I agree with both of the posts above about restricting engine sizes for young drivers. It seems common sense to me that if you dont allow inexperienced and young drivers to take control of a vehicle capable of controlling them, then the roads will be safer for us all. This has been standard policy where mtorbikes are concerned for years. Aren't car policies made by the same group of people..???

Report this post »

Anon, Bfd says...
10:38pm Thu 19 Jul 07

Iagree something needs to be done in relation to young drivers, however, I think these policies are going to be extremely difficult to Police and resource draining.

Plus a 1200 cc vehicle is a s deadly as a 2000cc vehicle it depends on the driver and what they are doing with the vehicle. A 1200 and even a 1000cc can reach speeds of 70 - 100 mph, which in a 30mph zone turns any vehicle into a destructive killing machine.

Why not compulsary tacho graph type systems on all new drivers so that the Police could stop these vehicles, check to see the speeds they have been travelling at. If the vehicle does not have a tacho, the driver is warned once before action is taken?

Report this post »

Anon, Bfd says...
10:38pm Thu 19 Jul 07

Iagree something needs to be done in relation to young drivers, however, I think these policies are going to be extremely difficult to Police and resource draining.

Plus a 1200 cc vehicle is a s deadly as a 2000cc vehicle it depends on the driver and what they are doing with the vehicle. A 1200 and even a 1000cc can reach speeds of 70 - 100 mph, which in a 30mph zone turns any vehicle into a destructive killing machine.

Why not compulsary tacho graph type systems on all new drivers so that the Police could stop these vehicles, check to see the speeds they have been travelling at. If the vehicle does not have a tacho, the driver is warned once before action is taken?

Report this post »

Anon, Bfd says...
10:38pm Thu 19 Jul 07

Iagree something needs to be done in relation to young drivers, however, I think these policies are going to be extremely difficult to Police and resource draining.

Plus a 1200 cc vehicle is a s deadly as a 2000cc vehicle it depends on the driver and what they are doing with the vehicle. A 1200 and even a 1000cc can reach speeds of 70 - 100 mph, which in a 30mph zone turns any vehicle into a destructive killing machine.

Why not compulsary tacho graph type systems on all new drivers so that the Police could stop these vehicles, check to see the speeds they have been travelling at. If the vehicle does not have a tacho, the driver is warned once before action is taken?

Report this post »

Anon, Bfd says...
10:38pm Thu 19 Jul 07

Iagree something needs to be done in relation to young drivers, however, I think these policies are going to be extremely difficult to Police and resource draining.

Plus a 1200 cc vehicle is a s deadly as a 2000cc vehicle it depends on the driver and what they are doing with the vehicle. A 1200 and even a 1000cc can reach speeds of 70 - 100 mph, which in a 30mph zone turns any vehicle into a destructive killing machine.

Why not compulsary tacho graph type systems on all new drivers so that the Police could stop these vehicles, check to see the speeds they have been travelling at. If the vehicle does not have a tacho, the driver is warned once before action is taken?

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

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