Overseas drivers could pose road safety risk
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has warned of the growing risk of overseas drivers swapping their licences for British licences.
It has said that while foreign motorists may be fully qualified and have years of driving experience, they may not be fully prepared to drive on UK roads.
Department for Transport data has revealed a growing number of licence exchanges, with 7,532 from Romania, 6,856 from Poland, 4,571 from South Africa and 7,064 from Zimbabwe.
It has said the driving on the left-hand side of the road, unfamiliar signage, smart motorways and variable speed limits can all be difficult to adapt to.
UK driving environment
Nicholas Lyes, policy and external communications director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Employers rightly carry out licence checks to ensure someone is legally entitled to drive, but that doesn’t necessarily tell you whether they’re familiar with the unique characteristics of driving in the UK.
“Many overseas drivers bring valuable experience from their home countries, but every country has its own road layouts, regulations and driving culture. Even language barriers may hinder progress, particularly where UK signage is unfamiliar.
“Taking time to help drivers with the UK driving environment can help build confidence, reduce the likelihood of avoidable mistakes and support safer journeys for everyone.”
