What will happen to your car if you don't take up driver training. Possibly...
If you drive a high performance car you should take a test to make sure you’re capable of handling it.
At least that’s what one road safety group thinks.
The Institue of Advanced Motorists suggests that many crashes involving supercars could be prevented if drivers took a special, compulsory test beforehand.
Kevin Delaney, head of road safety at the IAM Motoring Trust, says that the licence should be linked to the power-to-weight ratio of a car. “We have a basic form of graduated licences for motorbikes – there should be one for cars too,” he said.
He added that the training would concentrate on handling and the ‘psychological difficulties’ of experiencing an adrenaline rush when driving a powerful car. "The difference between a Mondeo and a Porsche is in the right foot."
"Drivers who buy and drive cars that are fast enough to get them into trouble need to gain the experience to avoid getting into trouble accidentally and to use the car safely on the road."
The UK road safety charity Brake and the mayor of London’s road safety ambassador, Jenny Jones, have also supported the idea.
"These are ridiculous cars for wannabe jet pilots rather than people who need to get safely from A to B. Some who buy these vehicles are clearly in need of either an advanced driving course or therapy," said Ms Jones.
However, the RAC Foundation says taking the extra test should be a matter of choice.
Sheila Rainger, a spokeswoman, said: “This should be something motorists choose to do themselves out of pride in their skills, not a burden imposed upon them by legislation.”
“This is best dealt with through education, training and advice, not new legislation.”