Car insurance news

Stricter rules for new drivers

MPs have demanded that tougher restrictions should be brought in for newly -qualified drivers to combat high motor accident rates.

The Commons Transport Committee has called for tougher guidelines when it comes to younger motorists including lower dink driver limits, a ban on carrying passengers under 21 and probationary driver plates.

Car accidents caused by young drivers can result in other motorists claiming car accident compensation, so if drivers have tougher regulations, there could be fewer accidents on the road.

Strict rules already apply in other countries with zero alcohol levels and probationary plates for three years. In Spain, new drivers are restricted to 50mph for the first year.

Concern has also been raised with the safety of driving test examiners. Last year 858 car accidents occurred during tests with 386 near misses, 33 physical assaults and 348 verbal assaults on staff.

The UK road safety minister, Stephen Ladyman, said that introducing such restrictions on new drivers would be overly harsh, "I am not convinced probationary periods on social mobility are the right way to go."