Calls for driving lesson re-think

10/08/11

By Leo Stevens

The way we learn how to drive could be significantly changed in the future after AA Insurance revealed it is urging the Government to include driving theory on the National Curriculum and dramatically change post-driving test training.

The AA's stance comes after it emerged that car insurance premiums for drivers aged between 17 and 22 have risen by 80 per cent on average in the past two years, meaning many young people often have difficulty affording such cover.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, revealed that although traffic accident numbers in the UK are falling, the number caused by young drivers is growing.

He said: "Young people are much more likely to suffer a catastrophic crash than older and more experienced drivers.

"Most young people find it hard to get their head round why their first car insurance premium should be ten times greater than what they might pay for an old banger. But it's got nothing to do with the value of the car and everything to do with the potential damage their irresponsible use can inflict."