A LABOUR pledge to look at making the driving test tougher has been welcome by East Lancashire road safety campaigner Anne Ravenhill.

Mrs Ravenhill, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, has attracted national attention through her 'Learn to Live' campaign, which calls for some form of compulsory motorway tuition for every newly-qualified driver.

She has spoken to Labour Party officials who are planning their manifesto on road safety.

And they have now revealed that they are considering the inclusion of night-time and motorway driving lessons.

Mrs Ravenhill says the standard of motorway driving is "terrible and dangerous."

She viewed with "cautious optimism" a speech by Graham Allen, shadow spokesman on road safety, to the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety.

She was especially interested in his belief that drivers should be capable of driving safely before they pass their test.

She insists that this would end the test's status as a 'simple rite of passage.'

She added: "I am delighted that he considers there might be a need for motorway driving lessons.''

Mr Allen promised: "We will consult on ways of strengthening the test and consider representation on night and motorway driving lessons, the introduction of separate manoeuvring and general driving sections and an assessment of hazard perception and driver attitude to other road users.

"The intention would not be to make it harder for good drivers to pass their test but to ensure that all drivers have reached the appropriate level.''

Mrs Ravenhill, an advanced driver, added: "In the last year or so I have gained support from quite a few local Labour Party groups.

"Although this is just a drop in the ocean I believe it has helped in some way to influence Labour Party's policy on driver education.''

Mrs Ravenhill has the backing of Burnley MP Peter Pike in her campaign.

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