A number of proposals aimed at reducing the number of accidents, and road deaths, involving young and newly qualified drivers have been put to the Assembly by Environment, Minister Arlene Foster.
She told the Assembly that measures, such as the proposed Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme, are needed to help prevent more tragic deaths.
More than a quarter of all drivers killed or seriously injured from 2001 - 2005 were aged 17-24 years. Newly qualified drivers were responsible for 7% of fatal or serious collisions in the same period, though they account for only about 1.5% of licence holders.
The Minister went on: "Young and inexperienced drivers are over-represented in road traffic collisions, and while we already have a scheme of restrictions for learner and restricted drivers, there is much more that can and should be done,".
Mrs Foster explained that the proposals currently being considered include changing or abolishing the 45mph speed limit for 'L' and 'R' drivers, restrictions on night-time driving, including a possible 12 midnight curfew and restrictions on the age and/or number of passengers which can be carried.
"The measures", she added, " we will be consulting on will help to reduce risk exposure among novice drivers during the period immediately after their test, which is the most dangerous period for new drivers.
"There is a considerable amount of evidence available on the success of the scheme in other countries, and we are keen to draw on best practice elsewhere in our efforts to improve our road safety record."
Talking to the 'Herald', the Minister said the idea behind the proposals was looking at 'what more we could do for young drivers'.
She acknowledged that some young drivers may be a bit apprehensive about such proposals but moved to assure any learner, or recently qualified drivers, that this wasn't about victimising them.
"This is about saving lives - it's not about persecuting young/inexperienced drivers".
One of the most serious problems with young drivers is they drive too fast, exceeding the speed limit, and driving in a reckless and inconsiderate manner on our roads.
The Minister pointed out that a lot of serious, and fatal, accidents happen on rural roads, and she indicated this should be looked at to see if anything could be done to rectify this.
In a recent statement hitting out at so-called 'boy racers', Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott claimed that many of our towns have become virtual "race tracks', resulting in many communities having to suffer the problems of cars racing against each other through streets and public places.
Apart from the noise, the danger to bystanders and those taking part is obvious, it is now time to end these anti-social "car wars" on our streets, he stated.
"It is not confined only to weekends, but is a nightly occurrence in many of our towns and villages. I have already made representation to the local Chief Inspector and requested that he divert resources to tackle this problem, hence, the installation of CCTV would be a welcome development to detect offenders.
Mr Elliott urged anyone with information about this type of activity to contact the Police so the perpetrators can be brought before the courts.
