Change to driving lessons on its way (From The Bolton News)

Change to driving lessons on its way

5:43pm Wednesday 7th May 2008 in

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BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly has announced plans to change the way people learn to drive and are tested.

The Transport Secretary was prompted to overhaul the system after figures revealed that while road deaths and serious injuries have fallen by a third since the mid-1990s, the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed.

One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, with another 70 per cent reporting near-misss in the same period.

Newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for 20 per cent all car deaths in Britain.

A foundation course in safe road use for people under the age of 17 will be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from September, leading to the development of a qualification that will be available across the UK.

Ms Kelly said: "Every year more than 750,000 people pass their driving test. New drivers are keen to gain the freedom driving offers them to access further education, jobs or keep in touch with family and friends.

"But too many drivers are involved in road accidents and are not properly prepared for driving alone. It's time for a new approach to learning to drive. We must make sure novice drivers are safe drivers."

Learner drivers will embark on a training course to teach them to be safe drivers.

A new driving test, which requires the driver to demonstrate independent driving skills and clear understanding of different situations on the road, will also be introduced.