Poland may introduce a trial period for newly qualified drivers

The Polish government is considering a trial period for new drivers, which would include a requirement that they drive at no more than 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on rural roads.  The proposed reform is part of a package that would also allow 17-year-olds to start driving, as long as they are accompanied by an experienced driver with a clean record.

The government is also proposing harsher sentences for drink-drivers and those caught driving after their licence has been withdrawn, as well as changes to the penalty points system that would make it more difficult to remove points added to a licence for driving offences.

In the UK, the RAC Foundation has written to the new transport minister Lilian Greenwood to propose a form of graduated driving licence that would see new drivers prohibited from carrying passengers under the age of 25 for the first six months after passing the driving test.

The foundation says young drivers are disproportionately likely to be involved in a crash in Britain, with pre-Covid data showing that almost a quarter (24%) of those killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads were in a collision involving a young driver (aged 17-24 years old) even though this age group makes up only about 7% of the total driving population. 

In a new report, the foundation says fears over negative impacts on rural mobility, access to work and education, and possible difficulties with enforcement, are largely unfounded.