NEWLY qualified young drivers face a possible year-long ban on carrying passengers to stop them being distracted and crashing.

The radical proposal is being considered by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) following months of consultation involving all the road safety agencies, the Irish Independent has learned.

Research shows young drivers aged 17 to 24 who are accompanied by two friends are 86pc more likely to have a fatal crash than if they were on their own in the car.

The distraction of engaging with friends makes inexperienced drivers lose significant concentration and they are prone to crash.

Read the 27 April 2010 article, Young Irish Drivers Face Year-Long Passenger Ban, from the Irish Independent.