WHEN many are starting to take their driving lessons at the beginning of the new academic year, the House of Commons transport committee has called for the minimum legal driving age, which currently stands at 17, to be raised to 18 in a bid to cut the amount of road deaths in the UK.

Figures from 2005 show that there were 19.2 deaths for every 100,000 motorists aged 17 to 21, a worrying rise of 55 per cent compared with 1992.

However, according to the latest research by Motorpoint, the UK’s largest car supermarket, 66 per cent of respondents to a poll on the company’s website think increasing the age by only one year would not have enough of an impact, and that in fact it should rise by four years to 21.

This could significantly reduce the amount of accidents on the road, but many argue that raising the legal limit to this degree would severely inhibit the independence of the UK’s young population, with statistics showing that 70 per cent of 17-year-olds now drive themselves to work.

A new legal minimum age of 18 in the UK would both fall in line with other European states and help alleviate the growing concern that 50,000 17-year-olds now pass their driving test with less than six months’ driving experience every year, according to the Association of British Insurers, which is equally reflected by the results from the Motorpoint poll.

Commenting on the findings, David Shelton, managing director of Motorpoint, said: "There is strong evidence that many consider the age of 17 to be too young to take to the wheel, and as many return to their studies, this time of year presents heightened concern."

He added: "Many customers come to outlets to buy their first car, and as a supporter of RoadSafe, we have a responsibility as a retailer to inform them about the importance of safe driving."