A motoring charity claims the system for learning to drive is failing the next generation of motorists.
A survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found that 66% of young drivers who passed their test still felt they needed to improve.
Worryingly, around one in five new drivers admitted to having a crash just after passing their tests and a quarter admitted breaking the law.
The survey was carried out in the North West by pollsters Vision Critical among young drivers aged 18 to 25.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said young drivers felt unprepared for independent driving and added: “The current learning system is failing the next generation of motorists and there needs to be a serious review.
“Early experience of a wide range of traffic conditions is vital.”
The IAM wants to see road safety education on the school curriculum; theory and hazard perception tests conducted online; insurance companies not penalising young drivers for gaining experience in the family car; a 12-month minimum learning period with a logbook to record experience; a more practical driving test to include high-speed roads; and post-test assessment and training in the high risk early months of driving.
Official figures show that a fifth of people killed or seriously injured in Great Britain in 2012 were involved in a collision where at least one of the cars was driven by a young driver.
Huddersfield-based driving instructor Peter Tiernan, who recently launched a driving scheme for teenagers, said he would support any moves to make driving safer.
Mr Tiernan, who runs Huddersfield Driving Experience for those aged 14 to 16, said early tuition behind the wheel could cut the accident risk later by up to 40%.
Tuition is provided on private land in dual-controlled cars.
Brighouse-based Andrew Adams, vice-chairman of Huddersfield & District Driving Instructors’ Association, said parents were often to blame for skimping on lessons – then buying their children expensive and powerful cars as soon as they passed their test.
“Parents should invest more in driving lessons than in cars because good driving is a skill for life,” he said.
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