DRASTIC plans to cut the number of accidents involving young drivers may see curfews introduced for new motorists, restrictions on their passengers and a lower age when they can first get behind the wheel.
Other tough measures under consideration include not allowing learners to take their test for at least a year.
The proposals come after a surge in crashes involving youngsters, which has led to insurance premiums doubling in the last two years. Figures showing an increase in incidents involving 17 to 24-year-old drivers, with a rise in crashes after 6pm on weekdays and between 11pm and 3am at weekends.
Two in 10 people who are seriously injured or killed on the roads are involved in collisions where at least one of the drivers involved is young.
Insurance premiums could fall by one-fifth if young drivers were banned from the roads between 11pm and 4am, they were only allowed one teenage passenger, and there was a zero drink-drive limit, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Average premiums for young male drivers are about £1800 while those for young women are almost £1500. Only two years ago the respective figures were £1000 and £700.
The UK Government is considering reducing by six months to 16-and-a-half, the age people can begin to learn to drive, imposing a minimum period of a year before someone with a provisional driving licence can take their test and allowing learner drivers to use the motorway.
Industry experts believe the emphasis should be on better training rather than increasing temporary restrictions and curfews.
Edmund King of the AA said: "We would prefer to get drivers better trained before they take to the road rather than giving them a licence and restricting them."
A Department for Transport spokesman explained proposals that were eventually implemented would apply across Britain as a whole "because the driving test and the highway code are GB-wide".
He said a UK Government Green Paper would be published in the spring with a White Paper containing firm proposals following. However, there might not be enough time to implement them ahead of the 2015 General Election.
He added: "There is a genuine debate around young drivers, who are proportionately more likely to be involved in accidents," adding there was an "expectation" that if a package of new measures could be agreed, then it would not only reduce accidents but also lower insurance premiums.
David Stewart, Labour MSP for Highlands and Islands, has campaigned on road safety since the deaths of two young con-stituents in 2010. He and fellow campaigners have promoted a "graduated driving licence"' which features many of the restrictions being proposed by the UK Government. Curfews, zero alcohol tolerance and limits on drivers have featured in the licence reform supported by the MSP and North Of Scotland Driver Awareness Team.
Mr Stewart said research showed 37 lives a year could be saved in Scotland if such restrictions were introduced.
He added: "It's not about penalising young drivers but we would like to see a slightly longer lead-in period when young people pass their driving tests.
"Primarily, you couldn't drive at certain times until you have gained further driving experience."
He said simulated technology could be used to advance driving skills and that driving on Friday and Saturday evening should be banned until the further experience had been gained with backing also given to a restriction in passengers.
We would like to see a slightly longer lead-in period when young people do pass their driving tests
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