The Times is reporting that British teens may have to endure another six-months of practice with instructors and the 'rents before they'll be able to go it alone on UK roads. The proposal would increase the minimum training period to 12 months from six, effectively requiring prospective drivers to wait until they're 18 before they can secure a license.
The move comes after recently released studies show that while crash rates have dropped overall, there has been an increase in novice driver crashes over the same period. The reason for the increase in time is to get new drivers more practice behind the wheel, including during winter months. A similar proposal was floated back in 2001, but was promptly nixed after a case was made that the majority of rural teens need a car to get to and from work.
The program will likely be made public this October, and will also include more stringent enforcement of underagedrunk drink-driving laws.
[Source: The Times via TTAC]
The move comes after recently released studies show that while crash rates have dropped overall, there has been an increase in novice driver crashes over the same period. The reason for the increase in time is to get new drivers more practice behind the wheel, including during winter months. A similar proposal was floated back in 2001, but was promptly nixed after a case was made that the majority of rural teens need a car to get to and from work.
The program will likely be made public this October, and will also include more stringent enforcement of underage
[Source: The Times via TTAC]
