LEARNERS GET GREEN LIGHT TO DRIVE ON MOTORWAYS

Learner drivers are to be allowed on motorways from next year, the Government has announced.

Following a consultation earlier this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has said it plans to go through with the proposals in order to better prepare new drivers for a lifetime of driving.

In a move that has been broadly welcomed, learners will be allowed to drive on motorways but only in a dualcontrol car and with a qualified driving instructor. Currently, drivers have to have passed their test before they can use motorways.

Motorway lessons will be voluntary and it will be up to the instructor to decide if a student is ready to try motorway driving. The DVSA sid the change will come into effect in 2018 but did not give an exact date.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams welcomed the decision as a step to safer roads.

He said: “We welcome the news that learner drivers will be allowed to take lessons on the motorway under the supervision of an approved driving instructor in a dualcontrolled car, something that motorists we surveyed were overwhelmingly supportive of.

“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.”

His sentiment was echoed by Neil Greig, IAM Roadsmart’s director of policy and research, who said: “It makes no sense that new drivers learn by trial and, sometimes fatal, error how to use our fastest and most important roads.

“Allowing learners on motorways with an approved instructor is a sensible and measured solution that should deliver confident new drivers who are much better able to cope with complex smart motorways.”

However, road safety charity Brake said that the DVSA should be focusing on introducing more radical changes to how British learners are taught to drive.

Jason Wakeford, Brake’s director of campaigns, said: “Rather than allowing learner drivers on the motorway, there should be a requirement for all newly-qualified drivers to receive mandatory lessons, including on the motorway, once they’ve passed their test.

“There needs to be much wider reform to the learning to drive system, including a minimum learning period and restrictions for newlyqualified drivers, such as a late-night curfew. This graduated driver licensing approach has helped dramatically reduce road casualties in countries including Australia, and could save lives here in the UK too.”