Plan to cut motor insurance for young drivers

A Plan to reduce the high rates of motor insurance being paid by young drivers has been proposed by the Green Party.

The plan would provide every young driver with 10 hours of on-the-road safety training with a qualified instructor. This training would be carried out before the driver applied for the first provisional licence. The cost of the service would be deducted from the driver's first annual insurance premium in his or her own name.

The Green Party plan includes an annual driving theory test for all drivers. After passing the test, drivers would receive a reduction in insurance premiums of twice the cost of the test.

Announcing the scheme, Cllr Paul Gogarty, the party's youth spokesman, said that drivers would have an opportunity to use a special voluntary "R" plate, which would reward them with lower insurance premiums.

"Anyone seeking an R plate would agree to drive under 50 m.p.h. and to strictly observe speed limits in built-up areas," he said. "In addition, no more than two passengers could be carried in the vehicle."

A breach of the rules would result in instant disqualification and the retrospective application of standard insurance rates.

Drivers who do not drink alcohol would also receive benefits under the plan. Years spent insured as a "named driver" would also help the driver to receive a reduced insurance premium.

Cllr Gogarty said that the plan would help responsible young motorists who had been penalised at the expense of more reckless drivers. "At the same time, their premiums have been unfairly loaded on age grounds alone."

Statistics proved that insurance companies were making larger profits on both the 17 to 24 and 25 to 30 age groups than on any other category, he said. If the Green Party got into government, it would enact legislation, if necessary, to reduce premiums.

The party also urged the setting up of a separate traffic police section, which would deal only with traffic-related infringements. Cllr Gogarty said that the current levels of enforcement of speed limits and road rules were "minimal".