Inexperience and overconfidence are the main reasons that new drivers are the riskiest group of road users, according to the latest poll from road safety charity IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). 

Nearly nine out of ten motorists who responded to the survey said that inexperience and overconfidence are the worst traits that any driver could have.

Respondents also rated peer pressure (67 per cent) immaturity (52 per cent) and shortfalls in the learning process (45 per cent) as being vital risk factors.

Nearly seven out of ten respondents lack faith in the current driving test as being an adequate system to produce safe drivers. There is a high degree of dissatisfaction with the current system for learning to drive. When asked to rate how well new drivers are taught using a scale of one to ten (one being poor, ten being ideal), half (57 per cent) of respondents rated it as a five or below. 

When asked about the idea of a minimum learning period, respondents’ opinion is split. One third of drivers believe it should be six months with an additional third believing it should be at least a year.

The results showed support for restrictions such as stricter drink-drive limits for younger drivers.  Half of all respondents believe that the drink-drive limit should be lower for younger drivers.

When it comes to the number of passengers younger drivers can carry, 71 per cent support restrictions on the in the first few months after passing the practical test.

Attitudes were more divided on night time curfews with 47 per cent supporting a night curfew while 45 per cent do not want to see any curfew enforced for young people.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said that the majority of motorists lack faith in the current system, marking ''a clear need to review the learning process''. "It is clear that motorists want to see more restrictions on younger drivers, but this will not solve the issue alone," he explained. "There needs to be a lifelong learning approach to driving that starts at school and continues through experience and coaching into the higher risk early days of solo driving. The more experience of driving that young people get the safer they will be in the long run.”

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