Leading road safety charities claim that the driving test needs to adapt in order to better reflect real world risks.
They note particularly how young drivers are passing the test in its current form but are leaving the test centre worryingly unprepared for the risks they will face. The Institute of Advanced Motorists have joined forces with the Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust to issue the warning.
The IAM would favour a graduated learning system such as the one used in Austria where driving related deaths have fallen by a third amongst young males. They also suggest a limit on passenger numbers and a 12 month minimum learning period in order to improve young driving skills. Motorway knowledge also needs attention, with no current requirement to demonstrate motorway use in the current exam.
Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “The driving test needs to become a much more integrated part of a graduated licensing system that picks up on best practice from around the world."
For instance, Austria has a ‘second phase’ licensing system, where young drivers come back in the 12 months after the test for a further three interventions to examine attitude changes and skills.”
Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter
Popular news stories
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|
||||||
