HC Deb 09 February 1994 vol 237 cc268-9W
Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responses he has received to the new driver safety consultation paper; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

Some 5,200 copies of the consultation document wer1e distributed and about 400 responses were received from organisations and individuals. There was very widespread support for the four main proposals in the document and many interesting and helpful comments were made on points of detail. In the light of these responses. The Government propose to proceed as follows.

A1. Retesting for new drivers convicted of offences: The document proposed that a driver convicted of certain offences within a specified period of passing the driving test would be debarred from holding a full licence, reverting to "learner" status, until passing a further test. There was very strong support for this measure. A number of different views were expressed on the detailed questions asked in the consultation document, and a further exercise is being set in hand to consider how such a scheme could work in practice. Any such scheme will require the approval of Parliament either in the form of a statutory instrument requiring affirmative resolution or (for some variants) primary legislation.

A2. Separate theory testing: Consultees were asked whether a separate theory test should be introduced to fulfil the requirement of the Second EC Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EEC). Almost all consultees were in favour of a separate mandatory theory test. I am setting in hand detailed developmental work to ensure that such a test, and the organisation to operate it, is fully in place by 1 July 1996, the date on which the directive comes into effect.

This will be the most important change in the car driving test since its introduction in 1935, and we shall be aiming to devise a form of test that makes a significant contribution to reducing the accident rate among newly qualified drivers, in particular by improving hazard perception. We shall be carefully monitoring the effect of the separate theory test during the first five years of its operation and it will be rigorously evaluated to ensure that it is achieving the desired effect of reducing accidents. I shall make appropriate adjustments if it fails to do so. We are also anxious to obtain the fullest advantage from technological improvements that are likely to occur in this period.

A3. Post-test driver training: The document proposed the development of voluntary schemes in which insurers would offer financial incentives to newly qualified drivers to take further training. A number of insurers and driving schools have expressed strong interest in this proposal, and my officials are working towards the setting up of a voluntary scheme.

A4. Road safety education: The document proposed the development of educational programmes of the 16-plus age group targeted at potential drivers and new drivers. Again there was strong support and we shall be working with the private and voluntary sectors to prepare suitable material for use in schools and colleges. We are already targeting this age group with the current "Drive" TV series, produced in conjunction with the BBC.

We also consulted on two other measures on which we were doubtful but prepared to keep an open mind:

B1. Probationary plates: We received a mixed response on this issue. Members of the public who commented were almost all in favour of the introduction of probationary ("P") plates for newly qualified drivers, but the main representative organisations were more guarded. In the Government's view, the case for introducing "P" plates is still not proven, though we are prepared to consider it further when the full results are available of a study into "Restricted" plates in Northern Ireland.

B2. Increasing age for full licence to 18: Only a minority of consultees supported this, and a number of disadvantages were highlighted. We shall not take this proposal further.

The consultation document also described 10 further possible measures which the Government had considered but were not minded to pursue. While some of these attracted a fair measure of support, particularly from individuals who responded, the majority of consultees accepted our reasons for rejecting them.