Plans by the government to introduce a more stringent and thorough driving test, which could help reduce the number of accidents and in turn bring car insurance prices down, has been backed by Formula 1 star David Coulthard.

The motor racing star is encouraging drivers to make use of the four-month nationwide consultation tour being carried out by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to put ideas forward on how to reduce the risk of using Britain's roads.

Coulthard said he was shocked and appalled at recent figures which suggested one in five deaths on the UK's roads involve newly-qualified drivers and he believes plans to overhaul the testing system could make a difference.

"I know how much young people enjoy the freedom that driving brings, but it is also a huge responsibility that must be taken seriously. Changing the way that people are taught to drive, and making the test more real, can only be of benefit," he said.

Should the driving test improve the motoring skills of newly-qualified drivers it could result in fewer road accidents, which in turn could help to lower car insurance premiums.

The DSA carried out 1.8 million practical tests for car drivers, 101,000 vocational tests and over 83,000 motorcycle tests in 2006/7.

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