Learner drivers given green light to use motorways
LEARNER drivers will be allowed on motorways after ministers agreed to lift the ban.
The change comes into effect in 2018 when the learners will be permitted to experience motorway driving provided they are accompanied by an approved instructor in a dual control car.
It is hoped giving drivers more experience before they pass their test will improve road safety and end the practice of middle lane hoggers who are unaware of the rules of the road.
Edmund King, the president of the AA, said explaining to people which lane they should be in could help reduce congestion because slower drivers would know not to block the outside lanes. He told The Sunday Telegraph: “If people used motorways properly it would free up capacity. If people are hogging the middle lane you are losing one third of the motorway.
“If you had people taught lane discipline you would free up that capacity.”
Many learner drivers may be unaware of rules relating to lane discipline, set out in the Highway Code, which state that motorists should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. And after overtaking slower-moving vehicles, drivers should return to the left-hand lane.
Mr King said that AA research suggested that 13,000 drivers a day do their best to avoid motorways, many out of fear, despite the fact that statistically they are the UK’s safest roads. He wel- comed lifting the ban on learner drivers and said the move would help improve road safety.
He said: “You see lots of new drivers driving at 25 miles per hour on motorways, which is dangerous. Also, on lane discipline, many of the middle lane hogs say that they thought it was for doing 60 miles per hour. They have never been taught lane discipline.”
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, announced the decision and said that while the UK already has some of the safest roads in the world, “we want to make them even safer”.
He said: “Younger drivers are up to seven times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with drivers over 25 and lack of experience is an important factor. Allowing learners to drive on motorways in a supportive environment will help them develop a practical understanding of how to use motorways safely before driving independently.” The Government entered consultations on the change earlier this year having announced its intention at the tail end of 2016 to lift the ban.
Jasmine Halstead, head of learning and development for the British School of Motoring, said the move would encourage motorists to drive correctly on motorways.
She said: “If learners aren’t allowed to practise on motorways under supervision then some will avoid motorways and others will use motorways incorrectly when they have passed their test.
“Hence it is great news for road safety that learners will be able to drive on motorways under supervision.”
Lesley Young, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s chief driving examiner, said: “This change will ensure that new drivers, with their instructor, will experience motorway driving and learn about the importance of the signs and signals, lane discipline and joining and leaving safely,” she said.
Pete Williams, the RAC’s road safety spokesman, said motorists were “overwhelmingly supportive” of the move.
He said: “While motorways are statistically our safest roads, it can be daunting using them for the first time after passing the driving test. Giving learners the option to gain valuable experience on our fastest and busiest roads should further improve safety and enhance the confidence of new drivers.”
The changes will apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
Powers introduced by the Government in 2013 allowed police to issue £100 fixed penalty notices for careless driving offences such as tailgating and middle lane hogging. In September last year it was reported that just 135 tickets had been issued for the offences in the first three years.