Drivers who pass first time 'are safer'

Date: 30/9/2010

Those who pass their first driving test are less likely to be involved in an accident, a new study has concluded.

Research conducted by TRL found first-time passers have a 15 per cent smaller chance of crashing, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The report attributed this difference to the confidence in their abilities that drivers gain from passing the exam first time.

In addition, the study stated first-time passers make fewer inexperienced errors, "but more violations and aggressive violations when driving".

It also found those taking the test for the first time are more likely to fail than those making a second or third attempt, but they generally achieve a higher mark on the theory test.

A separate report by TRL revealed learner drivers who had been given extensive tuition on how to drive in town centres and in the rain had a reduced chance of being involved in an accident in the six months after they passed their test.

Recently-released research from Cardiff University claimed newly-qualified motorists should be banned from night-time driving in order to reduce the number of road fatalities among young people.

Posted by Mary Treen