Tests to cut new driver crash rates

New motorists who are looking to build their confidence in their driving skills are being offered assessments that may help bring down the cost of their car insurance policies.

If you are looking forward to hitting the open road for the first time as a qualified driver your finances may benefit if you have your driving technique studied by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) assessors. The group recently launched its Young Drivers Assessment, which targets the motorists who are most likely to be involved in car accidents. Figures from the organisation reveal that 300 newly-qualified drivers are involved in fatal car accidents every year.

Further statistics show that a fifth of all new drivers are likely to make an insurance claim shortly after passing their test, so the association is offering the assessments to those aged between 17 and 24-years old. No doubt you are aware that collisions can significantly increase the cost of your insurance policies as insurance companies assume you are more likely to make future claims.

In addition, accidents can cause you to lose your no-claims bonus, which can also inflate your premiums. However, if you undertake a one hour assessment by the association's specially-trained staff potentially-dangerous driving skills could be highlighted and resolved. The group states that many young drivers start to fall into bad driving habits between six and nine months after successfully passing their driving test. This has been identified as a prime time for motorists to take a look at their driving technique to see if it is up to scratch.

New drivers are assured that the assessment is not binding in that it will not lead to their licences being taken away if they do not perform as well as expected during the evaluation. Instead, motorists are given tips on how to improve certain aspects of their driving after they have completed the hour-long session. Rick Wood, head of training at RoSPA's driver and fleet solutions team, explained that the new initiative may bring down the number of road fatalities.

"Our assessment is a great start in improving the current state of affairs for young drivers - the blunt fact is that many of them crash soon after passing their test," he said. "I'm confident that the assessment will help young motorists to identify weak areas in their driving."

Sessions involve drivers completing various driving tasks where they are then presented with a report that gives an overview of their motoring skills and a certificate.

25/05/2009 13:48:45