Local MP calls on insurance companies to introduce cheaper premiums for better trained drivers

4.10.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jul 2008

Mark speaking out for Road Safety in Parliament

In a House of Commons debate on road safety and young drivers, Cheadle MP Mark Hunter called on insurance companies to incentivise young and novice drivers to develop their driving skills after they pass their test to try and reduce the number of accidents on our roads.

During the debate Mr Hunter highlighted the fact while road deaths and injuries in total have fallen by one third since the mid 1990s casualty rates for young drivers haven't changed, that 20% of new drivers have an accident within 6 months of passing their test and that one in four drivers who died on the roads in 2006 were under 25.

On average it costs £1,500 to obtain a drivers license in lessons and test costs, while insurance companies charge very substantial premiums to young, especially male, drivers. Mr Hunter went on to argue that insurance companies should be encouraging and incentivising young and novice drivers to get as much training and experience as possible by reducing premiums for those with better skills.

After the debate Mr Hunter MP said: "Insurance companies are currently making huge profits from the premiums they charge young people, because they say they are a greater risk. Instead what these companies should be doing is offering incentives and lower premiums for those who undertake more training and are prepared to develop their driving skills.

"It's imperative that we encourage insurance companies to play their role in reducing the number of deaths and accidents on our roads. Young people need to be encouraged to think that learning to drive isn't something that stops once you pass your test and that other skills such as driving on the motorway, driving at night and driving in adverse weather conditions can and should be learnt. If we make insurance premiums cheaper for those that undertake this additional training it then would help young people afford extra lessons and make driving safer for everyone."