Split over young driver bans

Insurance premiums for younger drivers could fall by at least 10% if a ‘graduated licence' scheme were introduced restricting newly qualified teenagers from driving at night and carrying young passengers, according to online motor insurer Swiftcover.com.

But pay per mile insurer Insurethebox has called the proposals “draconian”, despite admitting that youngsters are 17 times more risky to insure than 50 year olds.

Mike Brockman joint CEO of the three-month old insurer that uses a telematics box in the car said: “We believe you shouldn’t restrict young drivers’ driving ability. Our ethos is about educating young people about the risks and rewarding them for not taking those risks,” he says. The firm gives drivers extra miles for free for safe driving.

“To restrict normal driving behaviour and social patterns is a draconian step to take. Cardiff is absolutely right about the dangers, but don’t stop them doing it altogether. Educate them and encourage them to do it better,” Brockman says.

High claims

Swiftcover claims men up to the age of 21 account for 62% of the total value of claims in that age group, whilst research shows that young men under the age of 21 are ten times more likely to die on the road than other motorists and account for a third of dangerous driving convictions.

Craig Staniland, underwriting director for swiftcover.com, explains: "It's a sad fact that too many young drivers are involved in serious car accidents, resulting in drivers aged 17 to 19 being charged higher premiums. This can lead to many youngsters driving without any insurance at all, which in turn just adds to the insurance burden for all.

"Introducing a scheme that would limit the time young and newly qualified drivers spend on the road, particular during potentially dangerous periods such as at night, would enable teenaged drivers to get valuable road experience under safer conditions and help instil a great sense of responsibility and safety. If this also cuts the number of road accidents involving young people, not only would it save lives it would also bring down the cost of insurance premiums for younger drivers."

Research

The Cardiff University research proposes that graduated licences, which are already being used successfully in Australia, New Zealand parts of the US, would be in force for as long as two years and could also include a total ban on alcohol.

But Brockman says: “You cannot extrapolate the experience of one country into another. The geography and social patterns in these countries is completely different to the UK. And if you tell young people they cannot do something – they almost certainly will.”