Proposals which would see learner drivers having to take lessons for a year before being allowed a driving test have been welcomed.

A new road safety coalition, which includes insurers and motoring and safety groups, said the 12-month minimum learning period would cut road casualties by 1,000 a year, The proposals were to be announced today at a motor conference organised by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which is part of the coalition.

Philip Gwynne, head of public affairs at West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, said there had been a rise in the number of young and inexperienced drivers being involved in crashes in Bradford and the partnership backed the call for longer driving tuition.

He said: "If it improves the standards of driving among new and novice drivers we would support this but what we must always remember is that it is more important for drivers to stay safe and remember their lessons once they have passed their tests."

The ABI is being backed by the RAC Foundation, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and road safety groups Brake, Roadside and the Make Roads Safe Campaign.

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at West Yorkshire-based Brake, said: "One in eight licence holders is under 25, yet more than one in four drivers who die is under 25, often taking their mates with them or other road users, such as children on foot.

"A graduated licensing system which allows drivers to build up experience and expertise in stages is a must, alongside compulsory education in schools about the high risks young people face due to inexperience combined with risk-taking, such as speeding, drinking, taking drugs and not belting up."

The coalition was also proposing limiting the number of passengers that drivers can carry in the first few months on the road. Young drivers should also be encouraged to drive less at night, while learners should have their hours and performance recorded in a log book, the coalition said.

ABI director general Stephen Haddrill said: "Every day, four people are killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers and the trend is getting worse not better. We urge the Government to adopt these proposals to improve safety on our roads and reduce this tragic loss of life.

"It also doesn't matter whether you have been driving for 12 months or 12 years, you can be as vulnerable. But it is the case that many people, once they get their first car, quickly forget what they have been taught particularly in relation to speed limits."

e-mail: ali.davies@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT DO YOU THINK

Learner driver Matthew Walsh, 19, of Wibsey, Bradford: "I think if you pass a test it proves you can drive. You can't put a timescale on it, some people take longer to learn than others."

Bushra Mahmood, 30, of Keighley, who passed her test 12 years ago: "I think it is too long. As long as you are confident and know what you are doing, then you should be allowed to drive. Learners will lose confidence if they have to learn for such a long time."

Michelle Farrell, 30, of Cottingley, who passed her test in May this year: "On average it takes 40 weeks to pass, which is under a year. A year seems too long. People learn to drive at different speeds."

Learner driver Pamela Hale, 51, of Mytholmroyd: "I don't think it depends on people's capacity to drive, I don't think that is the problem. Young people have a different attitude - when you were 21 did you take life as seriously as you do when you are older?"

Learner driver Matthew Fisher, 17, of Lower Grange, Bradford : "I think that's stupid. A lot of jobs say you need your own transport. This will make it even harder for some people to get jobs."

Trainee driving instructor Mark Blackburn, 38, of Leeds Road, Bradford: "You can't put a timescale on it. I usually tell them an average of 45 hours. But I am teaching a girl who has seven hours per week. Everybody's different and they have different learning speeds."