The minimum driving age must be raised from 17 to 18 to stop young people "killing themselves and others", MPs have said.
The minimum driving age must be raised from 17 to 18 to stop young people "killing themselves and others", MPs have said.
The Commons transport committee also wants learner drivers to spread lessons over a year before taking the test and a complete alcohol ban for new drivers.
The Commons transport committee also wants learner drivers to spread lessons over a year before taking the test and a complete alcohol ban for new drivers.
Novice drivers should be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 late at night, the report adds.
Novice drivers should be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 late at night, the report adds.
The government said it would not rule out adopting the proposals.
The government said it would not rule out adopting the proposals.
Young driver safety was already a priority, it added.
Young driver safety was already a priority, it added.
Government figures show that one-third of road deaths involve a car driven by a person aged between 17 and 25, although this group accounts for just one in eight licence-holders.
Government figures show that one-third of road deaths involve a car driven by a person aged between 17 and 25, although this group accounts for just one in eight licence-holders.
In 1992, there were 12.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 motorists aged 17 to 20. By 2005, the figure had risen to 19.2.
In 1992, there were 12.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 motorists aged 17 to 20. By 2005, the figure had risen to 19.2.
'Self-confidence'
'Self-confidence'
Under the proposed changes, people could start learning to drive at 17, as is currently the case, but not take the test until they are 18.
Under the proposed changes, people could start learning to drive at 17, as is currently the case, but not take the test until they are 18.
The committee's report - Novice Drivers - says there should also be an "absolute minimum" number of hours of tuition and a "structured syllabus", rather than instructors cramming knowledge into students ahead of the test.
The committee's report - Novice Drivers - says there should also be an "absolute minimum" number of hours of tuition and a "structured syllabus", rather than instructors cramming knowledge into students ahead of the test.
Training must also tackle "inflated self-confidence" by promoting "awareness of one's limitations in real driving situations".
Training must also tackle "inflated self-confidence" by promoting "awareness of one's limitations in real driving situations".
We cannot continue to waste young lives Gwyneth Dunwoody MP
We cannot continue to waste young lives Gwyneth Dunwoody MP
Meanwhile, "hazard perception training", sometimes using computer simulators, should be extended, possibly to schools, to encourage better habits in young drivers-to-be.
Meanwhile, "hazard perception training", sometimes using computer simulators, should be extended, possibly to schools, to encourage better habits in young drivers-to-be.
Transport committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: "The time has come for a revolutionary change."
Transport committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: "The time has come for a revolutionary change."
She added: "I think some males would like to drive at 11. But the reality is that we aren't talking about people having the odd crunch... but about people killing themselves and killing others.
She added: "I think some males would like to drive at 11. But the reality is that we aren't talking about people having the odd crunch... but about people killing themselves and killing others.
"The other side is a rise in the number of young people killing young people in the same car."
"The other side is a rise in the number of young people killing young people in the same car."
Curfew
Curfew
The committee is calling for a zero alcohol limit for all drivers for a year after passing their test.
The committee is calling for a zero alcohol limit for all drivers for a year after passing their test.
This group should also be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 from 11pm to 5am, it adds.
This group should also be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 from 11pm to 5am, it adds.
Mrs Dunwoody said: "We cannot continue to waste young lives. The implementation of the measures in this report would go a long way to improve the safety of young and novice drivers and other road users."
Mrs Dunwoody said: "We cannot continue to waste young lives. The implementation of the measures in this report would go a long way to improve the safety of young and novice drivers and other road users."
Louise Ellman, a Labour member of the committee, said the proposals were about saving lives.
Louise Ellman, a Labour member of the committee, said the proposals were about saving lives.
She added: "If we look at what's happened on the roads, road casualties are actually going down, except for that group of young new drivers where casualty rates are actually going up."
She added: "If we look at what's happened on the roads, road casualties are actually going down, except for that group of young new drivers where casualty rates are actually going up."
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Young and novice drivers remain a key priority for DfT, and that is why last February we announced a fundamental overhaul of driver training and testing.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Young and novice drivers remain a key priority for DfT, and that is why last February we announced a fundamental overhaul of driver training and testing.
"We are already targeting younger drivers more closely with our educational campaigns and will consult on the detail of proposals to overhaul training and testing later in the year.
"We are already targeting younger drivers more closely with our educational campaigns and will consult on the detail of proposals to overhaul training and testing later in the year.
"At this stage no measures have been ruled either in or out."
"At this stage no measures have been ruled either in or out."
What do you think of the proposals? Will they improve safety standards? Are you a newly qualified driver? Send us your comments using the form below.
What do you think of the proposals? Will they improve safety standards? Are you a newly qualified driver? Send us your comments using the form below.
