The Department for Transport has announced it is considering allowing learners to experience motorway driving.
Under the DfT’s far-reaching proposals for boosting road safety, learners would only be able to venture out on to a motorway using an Approved Driving Instructor with a dual-controlled car. The potential move has been welcomed across the industry with the AA’s president Edmund King stating: “The current situation whereby someone can pass their test in the morning, then drive alone on the motorway in the afternoon, without ever having driven on a motorway, is ridiculous. It makes sense that supervised Learners should be allowed on motorways.”
The move is just one of several new proposals being put by forward by the Government. Others include:
– Increasing fines from £100 to £150 for driving while using a mobile with penalties increasing from three to four points.
– Increasing funding for police to help remove dangerous drivers from roads.
– Beefing up of compulsory basic training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists.
– Improving cycling safety via consultation.
Britain has some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking to improve that record. Today we are delivering common sense proposals that balance tougher penalties for dangerous drivers with practical steps to help youngsters and other more vulnerable groups stay safe on our roads.”
– Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin
Image © Highways England