Safe Young Drivers Should be Rewarded, says the IAM

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) is calling on the government to work with insurers to offer discounts on premiums for young drivers who take further driver training, ahead of the Transport Select Committee’s report on the cost of motor insurance, published on 12th January 2012. The IAM also wants to see a review of the driving test, to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

The committee of MPs has been investigating the high cost of motor insurance. Premiums have risen significantly over the last few years and this is having a big impact on young drivers.

The average car insurance premium for young males aged 17-22 is £2,977*, more than three times the average premium of £907. For young females the average premium is almost twice as much as the average at £1,682. The figure for females will rise further in December when new gender equality laws come into effect.

A survey commissioned for the committee found that 21 per cent of young drivers had considered driving without insurance, and nearly a third (30 per cent) have considered altering the information they provide to insurance firms in order to secure a lower quote.

A recent IAM survey of 2,000 novice young drivers found that only half reported positively on feeling fully prepared for driving on their own. There is a real need to ensure that young drivers are fully prepared for driving on their own, with reasonable insurance premiums to discourage them from breaking the law by driving uninsured.

Seventy four per cent of novice drivers said that they would definitely take further training if it saved them money on their car insurance. The driving test needs to be reviewed, and a system of post test training, linked to cheaper insurance, introduced.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The simplest way to reduce insurance premiums is to prevent accidents. This is especially true for young male drivers who are most at risk of being involved in an accident. We need to start rewarding good drivers by encouraging further driver training through cheaper insurance.

“Pass Plus no longer provides a respected or effective training offering. The government, insurance and road safety industries need to work closely together to develop a better, universally recognised option – a partnership which the IAM is keen to be a part of.”

More at IAM