Young driver accidents 'must be reduced'

The Government has failed to cut down young driver accident rates, according to an insurance chief.

Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, told the House of Commons Transport Committee that some accidents involving young people are leading to car insurance claims of up to £20 million.

He told the committee: "This is a nettle which the Government has failed to grasp. They see the young driver merely as a voter.

"Claims of up to £20 million have been made. It's not unusual to have three or four people injured in a car crash who will need care for life."

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, also pointed out to MPs that councils were trimming road safety and road safety education budgets by around 19%.

Mr Greig highlighted how this is compared to an average of 9% cuts across the board, adding that he thought government targets for road casualty reductions were a good thing.

Copyright Press Association 2012