18 April 2007.

INSURERS CALL FOR TOUGHER TRAINING FOR YOUNG DRIVERS
Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney was one of 50 MPs who today heard the Association of British Insurers (ABI) call for tougher training for young drivers to help save young lives on our roads. The ABI was launching its campaign in Parliament.
Every day, four young people are killed or seriously injured in road crashes, amounting to over 1,400 a year. Young male drivers are ten times more likely to be involved in crashes than more experienced motorists.
David Kidney supports improvement in driver training to help prevent deaths and injuries and make roads safer for all users:
“Many safety campaign groups support the ABI in calling for changes to driver training for young people. Proposals include:
 A minimum learning period before the driving test;
 A structured learning programme for all new drivers;
 Encouragement for young drivers to carry fewer passengers; and
 Stronger advice about night-time driving.
“Some insurers offer lower insurance costs for young drivers who accept some of these measures voluntarily. Norwich Union has a “pay as you go” motor insurance under which drivers who avoid driving at the times of greatest danger pay reduced premiums.
“I was pleased to support the ABI’s aim of helping make our roads safer through improved education and training for young and other new drivers. This is something I often raise with Transport Ministers and I will now raise this again with the help of the additional arguments and evidence that the ABI have given me”.