Drivers support minimum lessons for learners

MOST motorists think learners should have at least 35 hours of supervision before taking their driving test, according to a survey.

There is also widespread support for restrictions to be placed on novice drivers who have just passed the test, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Di r e c t Li n e showed.

Based on responses from 1000 drivers, the survey showed that:

88% thought there should be a minimum number of hours of supervised driving for learners, with 58% thinking this should be a minimum of 35 hours;

69% of drivers under the age of 25 backed a minimum learning period;

70% of all d r ive r s supported a zero-tolerance drink-drive limit for novice drivers, with 63% of drivers under 25 keen on this;

90% wanted learners to have lessons in difficult conditions, with mandatory lessons on motorways.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: “The Government has an opportunity to make a real difference to road safety and save a lot of young lives through reforming our driver licensing system.

“By introducing a system of graduated licensing we can expect to make real inroads to ending the devastation caused by young driver crashes.”

Direct Line commercial director Gus Park said: “Young drivers make up only one in eight licence holders, but are involved in crashes that result in one in five road deaths and serious injuries.

“We believe that these statistics can be changed substantially through the implementation of graduated driver licensing.”