P-plates proposed for cheaper car insurance

Posted :28-06-2005

A new survey finding that 65 per cent of Britons have been involved in a road accident has lead to increased calls for compulsory P-plates for newly-qualified drivers.

The research, conducted by Privilege, found higher insurance premiums for younger drivers to be justified, with 22 per cent of drivers in their 20s admitting to causing an accident.

This compares to 14 per cent of people in their 30s and five per cent of Britons in their 50s.

Commenting on the study, Ian Parker, managing director of Privilege Insurance, said: "It is shocking to see that two-thirds of the population are likely to have an accident on the roads in their lifetime, be they a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or passenger.

"British drivers should view these findings as a wake up call to look closely at their driving behaviour. We appreciate fully the stresses and strains of modern life, but urge people to value the importance of driving safely so that ultimately we work to reduce the impact of road accidents."

Privilege believes this study supports recent calls for the government to introduce graduated driving licenses, including compulsory P-plates for drivers who have just passed their test.

It is thought that an increased awareness of new and inexperienced drivers could increase caution on the roads and reduce accidents.

A reduction in car insurance claims would in-turn lead to a rise in UK car insurance brokers offering cheap insurance.

According to the study, reckless driving caused nearly one million accidents over the last 12-months.

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