71% back tougher rules for young drivers
02/04/2026
Almost two-thirds of people in Northern Ireland support the introduction of tougher rules for newly qualified drivers, amid growing concerns about road safety.
Northern Ireland is set to become the first UK region to adopt graduated driver licensing later this year, in a move to reduce the number of young people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
New figures show drivers aged 17-23 are responsible for almost a quarter (24%) of fatal or serious accidents here, despite only holding about 8% of licences. In 2024, there were 164 road casualties where a young driver was responsible.*
The new system, due to come into effect from 1 October 2026, aims to improve road safety by bringing in measures such as a six-month wait for learner drivers before taking a practical test, an extended ‘R’ plate period from 12 months to 24 months, as well as restrictions on night-time driving and passenger numbers.
New survey findings by Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site, CompareNI.com show that seven in ten people (71%) are in favour of these new rules and believe they will help save lives.
The poll of more than 800 drivers in Northern Ireland also highlights strong public concern about the safety risks associated with younger motorists. Six in ten respondents (61%) believe drivers aged 17–24 are the most dangerous on the road, while almost three-quarters (74%) say young drivers are more easily distracted than older motorists.
Worryingly, many people say they have personally witnessed risky behaviour, with 83% saying they have seen a young driver break the rules of the road.
More than one in four people (42%) feel that overconfidence is the biggest issue facing young drivers, followed closely by driving too fast (39%).
Meanwhile, 37% said they have either been involved in, or know someone who has been involved in, a road traffic accident involving a young driver.
While the majority of people are in favour of graduated driver licensing, 27% expressed concerns that some of the proposed rules may be too restrictive.
Furthermore, 41% felt the new rules would be too difficult to enforce, while a fifth were worried they could encourage rule breaking.
The public also appear to be cautious about relaxing existing restrictions, with 70% believing plans to remove the current 45mph speed limit for new drivers will not improve road safety.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “Road safety remains a major concern for many motorists, and our survey findings show there is clear public backing for measures aimed at improving driver safety – particularly when it comes to supporting young and inexperienced drivers.
“New drivers, especially young ones, face the highest risk of serious crashes, and graduated driver licensing could be an effective tool that could help save lives on our roads.
“By limiting their exposure to high-risk situations such as driving at nighttime or how many passengers they can carry, the proposed system would allow newly qualified drivers to gain valuable experience and develop safe habits before gaining access to full driving privileges.
“Similar schemes are used in other countries such the United States, Canada and Australia and evidence shows they can significantly reduce crashes involving young drivers.**
“Also, if the accident rate drops and insurers face fewer claims, graduated driver licensing could in turn help reduce car insurance premiums for young motorists, who are currently facing eye-watering averages of £1470 a year – just behind London, the UK’s most expensive region.”
References:
*https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/graduated-driver-licensing-be-introduced-2026-kimmins
**https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/european-road-safety-observatory/statistics-and-analysis-archive/young-people/licensing-regimes_en?utm
| Survey questions | Responses |
| Do you think young people (aged 17-24) are the most dangerous drivers? | Yes – 61% |
| No – 37% | |
| N/A – 2% | |
| Do you think young drivers are more easily distracted than older drivers? | Yes – 74% |
| No – 24% | |
| N/A – 2% | |
| Have you seen a young driver break the rules of the road? | Yes – 83% |
| No – 15% | |
| N/A – 3% | |
| What do you think is the biggest issue facing young drivers today? | Overconfidence – 42% |
| Driving too fast – 39% | |
| Easily distracted – 10% | |
| Not knowing the rules of the road – 5% | |
| I don’t think young drivers face any issues – 3% | |
| Have you ever been involved or know someone who has been involved in a road traffic accident with a young driver? | Yes – 37% |
| No – 60% | |
| N/A – 3% | |
| Do you think the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing in Northern Ireland will help reduce accidents involving young drivers? | Yes -72% |
| No – 26% | |
| N/A – 2% | |
| Which of the proposed new measures do you think will have the biggest impact on improving road safety? | Nighttime passenger restrictions for new drivers – 38% |
| Restricted (R) plate period for new drivers will increase to 24-months – 23% | |
| A minimum six-month learning period before taking practical test – 18% | |
| Learner drivers must complete a 14-module training programme – 11%Removing the 45mph speed limit for new and learner drivers – 7% | |
| N/A – 3% | |
| Do you think any of the proposed measures are too restrictive? | Yes – 27%No – 71%N/A – 2% |
| If so, which do you find to be the most restrictive? | Restricted (R) plate period for new drivers will increase to 24-months – 31% |
| Minimum six-month learning before taking practical test – 26% | |
| Learners must complete a 14-module training programme – 20% | |
| Nighttime passenger restrictions for new drivers – 19% | |
| N/A – 3% | |
| What (if any) is your biggest concern regarding the Graduated Licensing system? | Too difficult to enforce – 41% |
| I don’t have any concerns – 22% | |
| Too restrictive and could encourage rule-breaking – 20% | |
| May discourage young people from learning to drive – 9% | |
| Could reduce the independence of young drivers – 7% | |
| N/A – 2% | |
| Do you think the proposal to remove the 45mph limit for new drivers will improve road safety? | Yes – 73% |
| No – 26% | |
| N/A – 1% |
CompareNI.com survey findings are based on a randomised survey of 800 drivers across Northern Ireland in March 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.
This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.