Proposed night time driving ban for new drivers, under plans for graduated licence

Posted by Crispin Moger on 28 August 2019

Crispin Moger, CEO at Marmalade, gives his views on the proposal of night time driving restrictions for new drivers, under new plans for graduated licence.

The proposal for a blanket ban on young drivers using the road at night is restrictive, excessive and frankly draconian. The hardest hit won't be a few reckless drivers, rather those many young people who work hard, unsociable hours in everything from the hospitality industry through to care and our emergency services. 

We support any initiative that improves young driver safety on the roads – however, imposing restrictions like curfews or lower speed limits is not the answer. Instead the mandatory introduction of black box technology within the first two years of driving is proven to be far more effective at developing safe driving skills and improving confidence behind the wheel.

The statistics prove black box technology does work – our Young Driver Insurance customers are three times safer on the road than the national average. According to National Statistics one in five young drivers has an accident in the first six months after passing their test. When you introduce black box technology this figure drops to one in 18*.

* Based on Marmalade New Driver Insurance policies incepted 1st October 2015 – 30th September 2017. 1 in 18 Marmalade drivers have an accident within 6 months of their policy start date, compared with 1 in 5 young drivers who have an accident in the first 6 months after passing their test, according to National Statistics