LONDON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Learner drivers in Britain are to be legally allowed to drive on high-speed motorways for the first time, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced Sunday.
Although motorways carry more than a fifth of road traffic in Britain, they account for just one percent of all of the country's highways.
Until now motorways have been no-go areas for learner drivers. It means the first experience of motorway driving for many new drivers is after they gain their pass certificate.
Grayling announced Sunday that from next year the law will be changed to allow drivers on motorways before they passed the statutory driving test.
They will only be allowed on the 3,600 kilometers of motorways with a registered driving instructor using a dual-control vehicle.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the move is aimed at improving road safety.
"This will provide a broader range of real life experiences and better prepare learners for independent driving when they pass their test," said the DfT.
Secretary Grayling said: "The UK has some of safest roads in the world and we want to make them even safer."
"Younger drivers are up to 7 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with drivers over 25, and lack of experience is an important factor.
"Allowing learners to drive on motorways in a supportive environment will help them develop a practical understanding of how to use motorways safely before driving independently."
The change in the law was welcomed Sunday by the motoring organisation, the RAC.
Their road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: "While motorways are statistically our safest roads, it can be daunting using them for the first time after passing the driving test. Giving learners the option to gain valuable experience on our fastest and busiest roads should further improve safety and enhance the confidence of new drivers."
Britain's Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young, said: "We want to modernise driver training so that novice drivers gain the skills and experience they need to help them and everyone else to stay safe on our motorways."
Speed limits on Britain's motorways is currently 70 miles per hour (112 km/h), but busiest stretches are now being converted into "smart motorways" which will have legally enforceable lower limits depending on individual circumstances.
Britain's first motorway opened in 1958 becoming part of the M6 which links the Birmingham area to the Scottish border. A year later the first stretch of the M1 opened, forming a fast link between the north east, Birmingham and London.
Originally there were no speed limits on motorways, but when the 70mph was introduced in 1965, leading to a 20 percent drop in road fatalities.
