Fourth report: Road safety: young and novice drivers

The government acknowledges the difficulty in identifying novice drivers from existing data and that bespoke research would be resource-intensive. They state they already know age and inexperience contribute to collision risk for young drivers, and evidence suggests older novice drivers are less risky, but will consider the case for further research against other priorities.

The government states that bespoke research would be resource-intensive and they already have evidence about young novice drivers, suggesting older novices are less risky. They will consider the case for such research further and weigh it against other priorities, without committing to commission the study.

The government agrees that further study on intensive driving lessons and post-test crash risk would be useful but defers committing to the research, stating it will be considered as part of the 2022/23 research programme as current year projects are already agreed.

The government acknowledges the committee's observations by referencing the Driver 2020 project, for which a progress update can be provided by July 2021, with initial findings on novice driver interventions expected in Spring 2022. They also note a feasibility study on combining telematics data has not progressed due to procurement issues.

The government provides an update on the Driver 2020 project timeline, stating that initial findings will be available in Spring 2022 and final findings in early 2023, while noting a related telematics feasibility study has not progressed.

The government accepts the recommendation, confirming it will provide an update on the Driver 2020 project by July 2021, with initial findings in Spring 2022 and final findings in Spring 2023 due to COVID-19 delays.

The government states that the Rural Roads Working Group was placed on hold in November 2020 and officially paused due to Departmental resourcing being prioritised for COVID and Brexit/Winter Response work.

The government confirms the Rural Roads Working Group was paused due to COVID/Brexit but will restart in Summer 2021. They provide information on its intended membership (stakeholders), scope, and objectives (discussing challenges and improving rural road safety), but note the group is still in plenary stages with no set outcomes or meeting schedule yet.

The government provides details of the Modular Learning project, including its objectives to improve risk perceptions and equip pupils to manage risks. They confirm that due to COVID-19, the trial's start is delayed until late Spring 2021, with an assessment of its effectiveness now anticipated by Spring 2023.

The government outlines specific objectives and criteria for the modular learning pilot, detailing how it will assess improved road safety and risk management. However, due to COVID-19 delays, the pilot's start and completion are pushed back, meaning the update on assessment requested by October 2021 will not be available until Spring 2023.

The government asserts that the current theory test and official education materials already include adequate questioning and information on driving at night and with passengers. They also state the theory test content is kept under review, with new content under development to be introduced after a new service stabilizes.

The government rejects the recommendation to resume studying Graduated Driver Licensing, stating it will not commission any research into its social and economic consequences and has no plans to conduct research or implement GDL at this time.

The government states the Graduated Pilot Scheme in Northern Ireland has been significantly delayed by COVID-19 and has not yet started, making it too early to provide interim findings or conclusions by October 2021. They commit to remaining in close contact with the Northern Ireland Executive and sharing any findings with the Committee when they become available.

The government reiterates its welcome for the Driver 2020 programme and its aim to explore telematic technology for road safety, noting that final findings are expected in early 2023.

The government commits to providing a progress update on the Driver 2020 project by July 2021, but states preliminary findings on telematics effectiveness will not be available until Spring 2022. They also note a separate telematics feasibility study has not progressed due to procurement challenges.