Fourth report: Road safety: young and novice drivers
Select Committee
Transport Committee
HC 169
2 March 2021
Government response
Second Special Report - Road safety: young and novice drivers: Government Response to Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 13 May 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 32
Research conducted by the insurance industry shows that a significant proportion of older novice drivers—that...
Conclusion
Research conducted by the insurance industry shows that a significant proportion of older novice drivers—that is, drivers aged above 25 who are relatively new to driving—are involved in crashes. However, this is difficult to verify because official statistics are not …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 79
There have been welcome reductions in the overall numbers of young and novice drivers killed...
Conclusion
There have been welcome reductions in the overall numbers of young and novice drivers killed and seriously injured in road traffic crashes over the past 15 years. However, this progress has now stalled. We believe that improvements to the safety …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 80
There are a number of factors that contribute to the higher proportional rates of young...
Conclusion
There are a number of factors that contribute to the higher proportional rates of young drivers in the casualty statistics. We welcome the Department for Transport’s Driver 2020 research project which is exploring several technological and educational based measures targeted …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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7
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 82
As with other age groups, rural roads pose a particular risk for young drivers, with...
Conclusion
As with other age groups, rural roads pose a particular risk for young drivers, with three quarters of young driver fatalities taking place on those roads. We welcome the Department’s 2019 commitment to establish a Rural Roads Working Group although …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 84
We recognise the improvements that the Department and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have made...
Conclusion
We recognise the improvements that the Department and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have made to the learning and testing process in recent years. However, we are concerned that the current learning process does not fully equip learner drivers with …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 90
We welcome the fact that the Department’s Driver 2020 programme will explore the potential for...
Conclusion
We welcome the fact that the Department’s Driver 2020 programme will explore the potential for telematic technology to improve driver safety. We are mindful, however, about the rights and freedoms of the individual and the privacy of their data.
Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Transport
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