First-Timer Driver Regulations: The Blame Game

So we heard earlier in the week that the Association of British Insurers has recommended a smorgasbord of regulations to inhibit the driving of those under 24 who have just passed their test. At first glance, maybe the ideas were good; there’s no denying that new, young drivers are involved in more accidents, but has the ABI actually thought through their suggestions?

After some careful consideration, we think not. In fact, it seems that all they’re doing is diverting attention from the fact that many insurers are giving us a raw deal.

Let’s take the first one – not being able to drive between 11pm and 4am. It’s mad enough as it is, but they obviously haven’t actually considered the practicalities. They’ve said that it would be fine if you were driving to work or education, but how could that possibly be enforced? Surely you could just carry a KFC cap in your car just in case? The police aren’t seriously going to waste their time pulling over teenagers who may or may not be driving to work, are they?

On the other hand, the encounters between police and drivers would make for killer YouTube viewing.

The next ridiculous rule is the limit on passengers. Yes, it can be a risk, but it seems completely unfair to brand all young people the same. Surely they can make their own decisions? This rule is more easily enforced, but we still think the police have better things to do than stop a carful of teens on their way to Alton Towers. Things become very impractical and inefficient. If for instance, there are five students living in a flat, and they all want to get across town to a lecture in a car, they would all have to go separately. It’s unlikely, but it could happen.

Intensive driving courses are also being considered for the chop. This might be OK. The restrictions on actually learning to drive are very tough in Scandinavia; they have to learn for ages, and they seem to produce some seriously good drivers. If it works over there, then maybe it could here. Again though, some people might learn better on an intensive course, so it’s all swings and roundabouts.

Basically, the ABI has come up with a list of things that they’d like to see, because it would benefit them. As if insane insurance prices weren’t enough. It’s now pretty difficult for new drivers to buy and insure a car for less than £3000, even if they search second hand cars online. The ABI haven’t given any thought to the practicalities whatsoever, and it seems to be just a load of hot air. It’s not totally young drivers’ fault that insurance prices are so high either.

Half of the problem is that much of the insurance industry is a total mess. Garages and hire car companies charge ridiculous fees, which are passed on to insurers, so that they have to charge more when it comes to renewal time. It’s no surprise that in Interbrand’s most recent rankings, there were only 2 car insurance companies in the top 100 brands in the world. AXA Insurance was the highest ranked.

Perhaps the ABI should start trying to bring costs down for everyone before they start branding all young drivers the same.