§ 40. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport if, in the interests of public safety, he will take steps to ensure that permanent licences for all forms of motor driving will not be issued to persons under 25 years of age.
Mr. Bob BrownDriving licences are of two kinds, provisional and substantive: even substantive driving licences are valid only for three years from the date of issue. If my hon. Friend is suggesting that persons under 25 years of age should be issued only with provisional driving licences and that, even after passing the driving test, they should be subject to all, or some, of the conditions associated with provisional licences, I do not think that this would be justified. What is necessary is that drivers of all ages should drive responsibly at all times. This is just as important for experienced drivers as for the new driver taking his driving test.
§ Mr. RankinDid my hon. Friend hear his right hon. Friend say a few minutes ago that the biggest danger on the roads today is drivers, and does not he think that this proposal would give the people referred to in the Question a chance to lengthen their apprenticeship, which they seem badly to need? Will he reconsider his answer?
Mr. BrownWhat is necessary is that drivers of all ages should drive responsibly at all times. This is just as urgent for experienced drivers as for new drivers who have just taken the test.
§ Sir H. HarrisonWhilst I agree with the Minister's reply, is not he aware that those between 17 and 20 have a higher percentage of accidents? Will he look 29 again at the suggestion I have made before that if drivers in that age group are involved in an accident they should have to take the test again?
Mr. BrownThat is another question. It is fair to assume from a comparison of insurance rates that younger drivers tend to have more accidents, but it is not fair to assume that anyone, of whatever age, who has just passed his test will be a more careless driver than a driver of long experience.