Author Archives: Bill

Teenagers could have to wait a year longer than currently before they are allowed to take their driving test.

The government is considering issuing only 12-month probationary licences at the age of 18 in a bid to cut accidents involving young motorists.

New drivers would also face a curfew between 22:00 and 05:00 unless a passenger aged over 30 was in the car.

It recommends a one-year “learner stage” beginning at 17, during which drivers would have to total at least 100 hours of daytime and 20 hours of night-time practice under supervision.

Learners can then take their test at 18 and, if they pass, will get a probationary licence and have to display a green “P” plate.

During this stage, drivers will face the curfew and all those under 30 will be banned from carrying any passengers also under 30.

After the 12-month probationary period, drivers will automatically graduate to a full licence and unrestricted driving.

Statistics show that more than a fifth of deaths on British roads in 2011 involved drivers aged 17-24.

Research has shown there are approximately 400,000 rear-end bumps on the roads each year in the UK, accounting for one in four of all road traffic accidents.

Data from more than 200,000 accident claims in 2010 found that 27% of them occurred when one car hit another from behind. This is a 9% increase in the percentage of these types of accidents from 2009.

Many rear-end collisions result in whiplash for the occupants of the vehicle and these type of accidents account for 75% of all bodily injury claims.

Congestion means we often travel in slow moving traffic. Drivers get frustrated and drive a little too aggressively. This can cause them to bump the car in front.

On faster roads many drivers don’t leave enough space between themselves and the vehicle in front. If the car in front needs to break suddenly, it’s possible to go straight into the back of them.