Announcement comes amid fears that inexperienced new drivers lack confidence to use motorways
For the first time ever, learner drivers in the UK will be allowed to drive on the motorways, amid fears by motoring experts that young, inexperienced drivers are often too scared to use the motorway after passing their test and would rather take to dangerous back roads and lanes.
The announcement from Government ministers forms part of a number of planned changes in a bid to make UK roads safer. Under the new series of changes, novice motorcycle riders will have to take a theory test as part of their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Course and provisional motorcyclists will be issued with a ban for six penalty points.
Learner drivers will, for the first time ever in the UK, be able to have driving lessons on the motorway but only with an approved driving instructor in a dual controlled vehicle.
Ministers announce new plans that will allow learner drivers on UK motorways © Copyright Gary and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
According to motoring experts, the new change is needed to stop inexperienced new drivers from choosing back roads, where they are most at risk of being involved in an accident. Lessons on motorways will give new drivers the confidence to choose the motorway rather than opting for the more dangerous back roads and lanes.
Transport minister, Andrew Jones, said that these new changes will help to make our roads safer and provide learner drivers with the experience needed to feel confident enough to take to the motorways, which are statistically the safest roads to use.
The safety levels on British roads will be hugely improved upon as a result of the new changes, equipping learner drivers with the right skills and experience required for driving on British motorways.
RAC Director Steve Gooding, said: “Many newly qualified drivers are so intimidated by the motorway environment that they choose instead to use statistically more dangerous roads, so we welcome this move which will help new drivers get the training they need to use motorways safely.”
Early in December, the Government also announced that drivers could face life in prison if found guilty of causing death whilst using a mobile phone behind the wheel of a vehicle. Under tougher new guidelines proposed by ministers, dangerous drivers who kill could see their jail term increased from the current upper limit of 14 years, to a life sentence.
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