Is it time to supervise newly-qualified drivers?
Posted by Fiona Birkwood
Young and inexperienced drivers are often the most at risk of being involved in an accident, as many struggle to cope with being in control of a car without the supervision of a driving instructor, but under new proposals that fear could be a thing of the past.
A new idea has been put to Downing Street by the insurance industry, which would ban newly-qualified drivers getting behind the wheel unless they have an experience motorist who is over 25 in the car with them.
The move has been proposed as a way to fight rising insurance costs experienced by UK motorists in recent years, with major players in the industry suggesting that implementing the measure could lead to a reduction of young drivers' premiums.
Do you think supervision of newly-qualified drivers by those over 25 is feasible?
As well as the supervision measure, the insurance industry and the government have come up with a number of other suggestions to help reduce the cost of insurance in the UK.
They include a crackdown on whiplash scams where people involved in minor shunts are being encouraged to make bogus compensation claims, a requirement for road accident victims to supply substantial medical evidence to back up any medical compensation claim and a ban on referral fees paid by ambulance-chasing lawyers.
It is also hoped that a commitment to cut the £1,200 fee that lawyers can charge to pursue small personal injury claims will be reached between the two parties.
Ministers say urgent action is needed to cope with a rise in compensation claims linked to road accidents and the resulting increases in premiums. Britain has become the whiplash capital of Europe with more than 1,500 claims a day and insurance payouts for this add up to £2 billion a year – £90 for every motor policy.
