We agree that there is a need to tackle the poor safety standards of young and newly-qualified drivers. We welcome the detailed consideration which the Committee has given to this important subject and have considered its recommendations in formulating our new Road Safety Strategy. The Government agrees with the Committee's findings, although we would suggest that for young new drivers in particular, it is attitude rather than a lack of technical competence that is the key factor in explaining their relatively high accident rate.
Inexperience is a common factor for all new drivers.
The Government believes there is great potential for computer based hazard perception testing to improve novice driver safety. Not only would candidates have to demonstrate such skills in the test but the associated training could have a directly beneficial effect. We will introduce hazard perception testing as part of the theory test in 2002. The Government agrees that there are limits to what the driving test can address, which is why the programme for improving new driver safety involves more than changes to the test. We want to instil in young people the right attitudes towards road safety and safe driving, to guide drivers to take a more structured approach to learning to drive, to prepare them for their driving career and to raise the standard of tuition offered by driving instructors.