THE war on reckless driving was dealt another blow in 1994.

It was a time when young drivers, usually male, thought they owned the road. They overtook at speed on blind bends, revved their engines at pedestrians on crossings and felt free with their finger gestures to anyone who got in their way.

But the days of the bandit drivers were numbered as tough new measures were going through Parliament which could be in place as early as 1995.

Any driver or motorcyclist who acquired ten penalty points within a year of passing his or her test would lose their licence and have to sit a second stricter 90-minute test under the eye of a senior examiner.

One serious fault would spell failure – and the driver would be required to take it again.

Local authorities were very supportive of the idea.

Yearly, young drivers were recorded as being involved in a worryingly high number of accidents on the road, and often those involved had only passed their driving test between one and two years earlier.

Insurance companies were often harsher with young drivers as the statistical likelihood of them being in a collision was higher than other ages groups.

Young road users were asked about their opinions on the law change during a ‘vox pop’ by The Mail.

While some young people were against the idea due to the stigma attached to their age group and the worry of having to redo their tests, others were supportive.

Neil Lauderdale, 17, thought a second test a good idea. He said: “Quite a few people tend to mess about when they pass their test, sometimes to impress.”

But Steven Handley, 18, disagreed. He said: “I think it’s stupid. It contradicts the first test.

“Basically, they’re saying if you pass that and get points, then you’re not good enough to be on the road.”

Learner Sam Garner, 17, said: “I think they should do it; it would get all the bad drivers off the road.”

Sara Johnson, 17, said: “There are a lot of young lads, especially, who are always showing off. I think it would have an effect on them.”