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Select Committee · Transport Committee

Young and novice drivers

Status: Closed Opened: 16 Mar 2020 Closed: 16 Sep 2021 9 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

Young drivers aged 17-24 account for seven percent of the UK’s driving licence holders but are involved in 20% of fatal and serious collisions. Concerned about these high collision and casualty rates, the Transport Select Committee returns to its inquiry to scrutinise the Government’s actions to reduce the risks of young and novice drivers being … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth report: Road safety: young and novice drivers HC 169 2 Mar 2021 15 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
2 Recommendation Fourth report: Road safety: young and n… Deferred

The Department should commission a study of crash rates for older novice drivers and how...

The Department should commission a study of crash rates for older novice drivers and how the driver’s experience level contributes to these crashes. This would allow the Department to understand better the risks around older novice drivers and whether to monitor and target more actively crash rates amongst this demographic. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that bespoke research would be resource-intensive and they already have evidence about young novice drivers, suggesting older novices are less risky. They will consider the case for such research further and weigh it against other priorities, without committing to commission the study.
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Department for Transport
3 Recommendation Fourth report: Road safety: young and n… Deferred

Every individual’s circumstances and natural skill, aptitude and experience and level of competence to drive...

Every individual’s circumstances and natural skill, aptitude and experience and level of competence to drive a car or vehicle is varied. However, we are concerned that intensive driving courses may not provide learner drivers with adequate driving experience prior to passing their test. We recommend that the Department conducts research … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees that further study on intensive driving lessons and post-test crash risk would be useful but defers committing to the research, stating it will be considered as part of the 2022/23 research programme as current year projects are already agreed.
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Department for Transport
13 Recommendation Fourth report: Road safety: young and n… Deferred

The potential implementation of GDL in Northern Ireland presents the Department with an opportunity to...

The potential implementation of GDL in Northern Ireland presents the Department with an opportunity to monitor the impact of such a system within one part of the UK. By October 2021, we recommend that the Department liaise with the Northern Ireland Executive and provide us with interim findings and the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states the Graduated Pilot Scheme in Northern Ireland has been significantly delayed by COVID-19 and has not yet started, making it too early to provide interim findings or conclusions by October 2021. They commit to remaining in close contact with the Northern Ireland …
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Department for Transport
15 Recommendation Fourth report: Road safety: young and n… Deferred

As part of the progress update on Driver 2020 we have requested by July 2021,...

As part of the progress update on Driver 2020 we have requested by July 2021, the Department should outline the progress and preliminary findings from its research into the effectiveness of telematic technology to improve road safety. (Paragraph 91) 34 Road safety: young and novice drivers Read more

Government response AI summary
The government commits to providing a progress update on the Driver 2020 project by July 2021, but states preliminary findings on telematics effectiveness will not be available until Spring 2022. They also note a separate telematics feasibility study has not progressed due to procurement challenges.
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
21 Oct 2020 David Buttery · Department for Transport, Dr Kiron Chatterjee · University of the West of England, Bristol, Malcolm Heymer · Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), The Baroness Vere of Norbiton · Department for Transport View ↗
7 Oct 2020 Graeme Trudgill · British Insurance Brokers' Association, Laura Hughes · Association of British Insurers, Lorna Lee · Automobile Association, Mr Nicholas Lyes · RAC Motoring Services, Nicole Parker · The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust, Nika Lee · Insure the Box, Paul Silverwood · The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust View ↗
2 Sep 2020 Dr Neale Kinnear · Transport Research Laboratory, Elizabeth Box · RAC Foundation, George Atkinson, Ian Greenwood, Mary Williams OBE · Brake View ↗

Who gave evidence

16 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
David Buttery · Roads Strategy Director Department for Transport 1
Dr Kiron Chatterjee · Associate Professor in Travel Behaviour University of the West of England, Bristol 1
Dr Neale Kinnear · Head of Behavioural Science Transport Research Laboratory 1
Elizabeth Box · Head of Research RAC Foundation 1
George Atkinson — 1
Graeme Trudgill · Executive Director British Insurance Brokers' Association 1
Ian Greenwood — 1
Laura Hughes · General Insurance Policy Manager Association of British Insurers 1
Lorna Lee · Campaigns Manager Automobile Association 1
Malcolm Heymer · Member Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) 1
Mary Williams OBE · Chief Executive Brake 1
Mr Nicholas Lyes · Head of Roads Policy RAC Motoring Services 1
Nicole Parker · Volunteer The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust 1
Nika Lee · Group Head of Actuarial Insure the Box 1
Paul Silverwood · Chair of Trustees The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust 1
The Baroness Vere of Norbiton · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads,… Department for Transport 1