HC Deb 13 June 1988 vol 135 cc70-1W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the effect on the number of serious injuries and deaths of raising the minimum age requirement for the driving of(a) motor cars and (b) all motor vehicles to 18 years.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In 1986 a total of 266 deaths and 5,697 serious injuries occurred in accidents where the driver or rider of a motor vehicle was under 18 years old. It is impossible to predict how many of these casualties might be saved by raising the minimum age to 18, because a significant factor in accidents to this group is lack of driving experience rather than simply a question of age. We have no plans to raise the current minimum age requirement.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the effect on the volume of traffic of raising the minimum age requirement for the driving of(a) motor cars and (b) all motor vehicles to 18 years.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The effect on the volume of traffic of raising to 18 years the minimum age requirement for the driving of both(a) motor cars, and (b) all motor vehicles, would probably be a reduction of about one quarter of 1 per cent. There is no intention at present of altering the age requirements for driving licences.