Drivers written off as failures

Half of Britain's motorists believe they would fail if they had to resit the new driving examination. The picture of 13 million self- confessed failures driving around was revealed yesterday in a survey.

The annual Lex Report on Motoring, produced by the sales and leasing group, found that 81 per cent of drivers support the introduction of the new test, which incorporates a written test. However, although drivers are convinced that the practical test still ensures the delivery of safe drivers, 59 per cent think they would fail the current test if forced to take it again.

This means that if the Government considered compulsory retesting, the roads could face a big reduction in traffic while drivers brushed up their road knowledge. As part of the report, the Lex group asked respondents three questions from the written test. One-quarter got all the questions wrong, 49 per cent got only one question wrong, and only 5 per cent got three correct.

With reports of road-rage in the news, the survey found that 36 per cent of motorists wanted the Government to concentrate on campaigns to fight it. The majority of drivers in the survey admitted to feelings of road rage.

t The Government yesterday confirmed plans to toughen laws for newly qualified drivers. John Bowis, a Transport minister, said that from 1 June new drivers would lose their full licence if they incur six penalty points within two years. At present drivers lose their licence if they clock up 12 penalty points over a three-year period.