Insurers urge 'learner logbooks' to help cut road deaths

Introducing "learner logbooks" to record time spent driving at night and in rain could prevent up to 1,000 deaths and serious injuries every year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Outlining proposals to the cross-party Parliamentary group on road safety today, Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the ABI, said: "We must get away from the 'pass now, learn later' culture too many youngsters have.

"Every day 140 drivers pass their driving test with less than six months' driving experience. It is this lack of experience that makes young drivers so vulnerable.

"Helping them gain experience of driving in different road conditions, such as at night and on wet roads, as part of the learning process will make them safer drivers, and reduce the tragic waste of young lives on our roads."

According to the ABI, male drivers aged 17-20 are 10 times as likely to be killed or seriously injured as more experienced motorists. Half of serious accidents involving young drivers occur while driving at night.