Tougher test could save drivers’ lives

9:54am Wednesday 3rd January 2007

THERE are calls to make the driving test tougher in a bid to tackle high rates of death and accidents among young drivers.

Dorset's driving instructors have given their support to the government's bid to improve awareness among teenagers, especially boys.

Male drivers aged 17-20 are almost 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured behind the wheel than men aged 40-59.

Nick West, of Time N Space driving school in Bournemouth, said: "I would wholly endorse any suggestion that driving tests should be made tougher.

"There should be more training in schools, and I also think there should be re-testing for experienced drivers as often as every three years."

Among the ideas being mooted by road safety minister Stephen Ladyman is for new drivers to accumulate 120 hours before they can take the test.

The test could be separated into two parts, with sections at night and on a wider range of roads.

Esther Lewis, of Solo Driving School in Poole, said: "Anything that improves the education of young drivers has to be a good thing.

"A lot of young guys are fine going through the test, but I often worry what they'll be like on their own. The government needs to look at how to improve young people's attitudes."

To that end, there is talk of introducing safe driving lessons to the school curriculum.

Richard McHugh, an instructor from Bournemouth, said: "Certainly, these youngsters are more at risk and something needs to be done. But I think the government will find it hard to get through to them. At that age, you feel invincible, and being reckless is part of being a teenage boy."