Web chat with Dr Stephen Ladyman MP

Driving Tuition for New Drivers

Posted by Jane Greer on November 7th 2006

Over the past weekend there were at least 7 young people killed in crashes which involved a young driver. It appears that most of the fatally injured were not wearing seatbelts. Is it not time to ensure that the tuition that new drivers receive is not only how to control a vehicle but how to behave when in one? Education is the most important part of a young person's life but to date the Government does not put money into this side of road safety yet there are road safety officers working on low budgets trying very hard to get the message across with no help from Government whatsoever. Is it not time to change this?

This question is now closed.

Road safety officers and young drivers

Posted by Dr Stephen Ladyman on 09/11/2006 - 16:10

The government does not directly fund road safety officers - they are funded via local authorities - but indirectly we do as the bulk of local authority funding comes from government. In addition, from April 1st next year the money from camera fines will be returned to local authorities as a grant that they can use for all road safety activities (rather than just to maintain cameras) including this type of work.

So far as young drivers are concerned I have asked the Driving Standards Agency to review the training and testing of young drivers and I'll make sure that this is an area they give

more