L-drivers on m-ways from today!

LEARNER drivers are allowed on motorways from today following a change in the law.

It is hoped the policy will mean novice motorists are better prepared for driving at higher speeds and that they learn how to use them correctly.

Drivers were previously only allowed on motorways, which have a 70mph speed limit, after passing their test.

From today, learners can have lessons on motorways if accompanied by an approved instructor and driving a car fitted with dual controls.

Motorways driving is not being added to the driving test and lessons are voluntary. It will be up to instructors to decide whether a learner is ready for them.

Road safety minister Jesse Norman said: ‘Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but road collisions remain the second biggest killer of young people.

‘Allowing learner drivers to have motorway lessons will help more young drivers to gain the skills and experience they need to drive safely on motorways.’

Eight per cent of licence holders avoid motorways for at least six months after passing their test, according to an AA poll of more than 20,000 motorists.

And 27 per cent said they felt scared when they did venture on for the first time.

Department for Transport figures show that 20 per cent of deaths on the roads in 2016 involved crashes where a driver was aged 17-24, despite that age category making up only 7 per cent of licence holders. Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: ‘ Young drivers are drastically over-represented in crashes.

‘This change, which will help broaden the opportunities they have while learning, is very positive.

‘It is somewhat perverse that five minutes after passing the driving test a new driver could venture alone on to a motorway without having had any motorway tuition.’

÷Millions of motorists are worried about safety on the growing network of ‘ smart’ motorways, a survey found.

Vehicles are often allowed to drive on the hard shoulder on such motorways to try to reduce traffic jams.

Fifty-one per cent of drivers are concerned about breaking down with no access to a hard shoulder, according to the survey of more than 2,500 drivers by motoring group GEM Motoring Assist.