FOLLOWING the announcement that learner drivers will be allowed on the motorway in a matter of months, a new study from Co-op Insurance reveals that a quarter of drivers still feel nervous on the motorway.

The new study, conducted among South East drivers, reveals that that on average Brits took as long as 18 weeks before taking to the motorway after passing their test, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) admitting that doing so makes them feel nervous.

A further 13 per cent said that driving on the motorway made them feel intimidated and 14 per cent said they were bored when driving on the motorway.

It’s for this reason that more than three quarters (82 per cent) of drivers have welcomed the change, which will see learner drivers allowed to take lessons on the motorway from 2018.

Of those who support the law change, three quarters (76 per cent) believe that it will give new drivers more confidence on the motorway and three in 10 (30 per cent) said it will help to keep roads safer.

When asked what their biggest concern was when driving on the motorway, almost half (45 per cent) of South East drivers said they worried about being tailgated, two-fifths (38 per cent) worried about driving in the rain, and more than a third (38 per cent) worried about other drivers drifting into their lane.

More than a third (39 per cent) worried about breaking down on the motorway, 29 per cent are concerned about being caught in a high-speed collision and a third (35 per cent) worry about lorry drivers not being able to see other vehicles.

Nick Ansley, head of motor Insurance at Co-op Insurance, said: “Almost a third of the young driver accidents that we see happen between one and six months of them passing their driving test. In the main, this is due to lack of experience on the road.

“Therefore, if taking lessons on the motorway early on helps to build confidence in new drivers then it can only be a good thing, for both them and other road users.

“Evidently, the motorway can be an intimidating place and the fact that 24 per cent of drivers in the South East feel nervous when driving on them is concerning.

“We look forward to welcoming these changes next year and hope to see more drivers building confidence and helping to make and keep our roads safe.”

Mike Bristow, spokesman for road safety charity Brake, added: “Young drivers are involved in a high proportion of crashes that kill and seriously injure because of inexperience and the tendency of some to take risks.

“Improved training before and after getting a licence is essential to improving road safety.

“The introduction of motorway driving lessons is a welcome step, but there needs to be much wider reform to the learning-to-drive system.

“This could include a minimum learning period and restrictions for newly-qualified drivers, such as a late-night curfew.

“This graduated driver licensing approach has helped dramatically reduce road casualties in countries including Australia, and could save lives here in the UK too.”