23 July 2007
The body which represents car insurance companies recently supported a report by MPs that recommends the driving age be raised to 18 years old.
Further to this the report suggested that after a year of driving, novices should be made to take a second and more rigorous exam to test their skills and competence.
Restrictions on the driver would include a ban on carrying passengers aged between ten and 20 between the hours of 11.00pm and 05.00am, as well as a zero alcohol limit.
Nick Starling, Director of General Insurance and Health for the Association of British Insurers said: "We urge the government to act now on these recommendations, to ensure that today's young drivers become tomorrow's safer motorists.
"Every day that passes brings another avoidable tragedy."
During 2005 a total of 1,077 people died on the roads from crashes which involved drivers aged 25-years-old or under.