Ministers are considering the option of placing a ban on young drivers in England and Wales from carrying passengers, other than family members in their car.
The proposal is specifically aimed at young newly qualified drivers and is suggesting a restriction on the carrying of passengers for a six or nine month period after they have first passed their test.
With 17-24 year olds responsible for a high number of crashes, deaths and claims, this proposal is intended to help reduce the number of deaths on the road. It is believed that some young newly qualified drivers feel pressured by peers into driving either dangerously or with too many passengers in the car, often leading to devastating results.
The Department for Transport says the idea is being considered, but as yet there are no plans for legislation.
This proposal comes just six weeks after the Association of British Insurers called for new young drivers to be bound by more stringent rules, including the introduction of a graduated driver’s license, a curfew on young drivers and stricter alcohol limit on this age group.
If these proposals were accepted there is the question of whether all young drivers will abide by the rules. ABI spokesperson, Malcolm Tarling believes it is possible to leave drivers to self police this restriction. Many other countries have adopted this proposal already and evidence shows that the self-policing option seems to work.
The idea is that is we remove the peer pressure element and the distraction of other passengers, then young drivers will be more focused on the road and more able to anticipate potential hazards.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport stated: “Improving the safety and ability of young drivers is a key priority for the government, which is why we have made the driving test more realistic and are also considering how to improve training for drivers after they pass their test. We are working with young people, the insurance industry, and other key partners to identify what more can be done to ensure that newly qualified drivers are properly prepared and drive safely.
