Wanna argument is a section looking at the the arguments for and against a particular issue.

Wanna Argument?

Pay-As-You-Go - On the Roads

News that the insurers Norwich Union have launched a special car insurance scheme for young drivers reaches our two petulant punters in this first 'Wanna Argument' of 2007. Will this new way of paying for car insurance help Dwayne's Dad out of his post-Christmas financial crisis? What does pay-as-you-go really mean for young drivers? Why are insurers bringing these new policies to the market? Why does car insurance cost such a lot for young people? Find out as we go head-to-head on pay-as-you-go on the road.

Keep death off the roads

Keep me off the roads

	So, how was the festive period for you?
			Not too bad. New Year, new diet, you know how it goes!
	Too right! I was a bit over-indulged as well.
			Well, it's what Christmas is all about isn't it?
	Umm, no, I think it has something to do with the baby Jesus!
			Oh right, I suppose you were there for midnight mass on Christmas Eve, were you?
	No, I was out on the town with you and your Dwayne, if you remember!
			Oh yeah, you're right. Seems such a long time ago now.
	Yes, you'll recall that you promised Dwayne to help him get on the road this year. That way, he'll be able to drive us down town come next Christmas.
			And you know what that means, don't you?
	I have to programme his Sat-Nav?
			Probably, but what I'm referring to is the cost. Do you know the damage a car insurance policy for him would do to me? It's daylight robbery I tell you! It'll cost more to insure him than to buy the car and pay for the lessons put together.
	Can't you just put him on your own insurance?
			Think you're forgetting one small point.
	Oh yeah - you're banned!
			Quite. But there's got to be a better way of getting Dwayne covered, without it costing me an arm and a leg.

How can young people afford car insurance?

			£1 per mile? That's extortionate! I mean, imagine if we get Dwayne to drop us off and pick us up from that place out in the sticks in the evening. That's going to cost me loads.
	I suppose so. If it's after 11 pm, probably be cheaper to get a taxi back.
			What's all this about 11 to 6? I reckon that's the best time to drive - far less traffic about. You can really put your foot down.
	Maybe that's the problem.
			What do you mean?
	Well, all these 'Trevors' out there at that time all putting their foot down. Makes driving so much riskier than during the day.
			They're just taking the fun out of driving, if you ask me. All you need is a bit of experience and you can handle anything!
	Yeah right - like the way you handled taking that corner in town, that time when you picked up your ban, you mean?
			The road conditions were fine, someone must have spilt some oil on that bend. Otherwise I'd never have rolled the car.
	And piled into that milk float.
			Yeah.
	When you were over the limit.
			Yeah.
	With your tax disc out of date.
			OK, OK! I was younger then.
	Two years younger!
			Only one year of the ban left...
	And then watch out everyone! Perhaps that's why it costs so much to drive when you're young?

Why so expensive for young drivers?

			That really annoys me - they always blame youngsters. How are they going to get experience if they can't use their cars at night?
	Well, you're hardly a good example of how to get experienced on taking bends, are you?
			I'm paying my debt to society.
	Yeah, but wouldn't it be good if you didn't have to pay it?
			'Course it would!
	And if that milkman didn't have to pay by losing his job?
			That wasn't my fault. He had that condition.
	Yes, post traumatic stress syndrome, I think it's called.
			OK, OK. So it was partly my fault.
	Anyway, I must admit I was a bit shocked at the death rate for young drivers. Reckon if they knew more about the risks, these youngsters might be less inclined to drive in the first place.

Is it really more dangerous for young drivers than older ones on UK roads?

			Wow, that's pretty scary. But you're never going to stop youngsters wanting to get into a car and have a good time. It's part of being young.
	Yeah, true - I can still remember the feeling of freedom I got when I first had a car of my own. Of course, before then I used to take my parents' car out for a drive every so often.
			Oh yes, I remember that little Fiat they had. Not a lot of personal freedom offered there. Unless you're talking about the freedom to be laughed at by the rest of us.
	The good thing about that car and my first Ford was that they never could go that fast anyway!
			Exactly! That's why you'd never see me in it!
	No, you were too busy showing off in your Mini Cooper, weren't you.
			Ah, happy days!
	Yeah, until you wrote that off coming down the hill from work. Don't suppose that was your fault either?
			Well, I may have been going a bit too fast.
	Quite.

Should drivers start younger?

			OK. I'm convinced. Makes me feel lucky to still be alive, after all the near misses I've had over the years, especially early on.
	Same here. So many times I was in a car when I was younger, absolutely convinced we were about to crash. This sort of data makes you want to keep your kids off the roads at night, and in anyone else's car too.
			So what's the lowdown on this pay-as-you-go insurance thingy then?
	Yeah, let's hear more!

The main characteristics of pay-as-you-go insurance schemes

	Sounds like there's scope for older drivers to use these pay-as-you-go schemes as well. Sounds like there's scope for older drivers to use these pay-as-you-go schemes as well.
			How do they work then? Not that I'd be interested for a few months anyway.
	No, but my policy is up for renewal soon. Could be something I'd be interested in.

How does pay-as-you-go work for older drivers?

	Hmm, don't like the sound of those peak time tariffs. I use my motor at exactly those times.
			Yeah, but that's probably the point isn't it?
	How do you mean?
			Well, pay-as-you-go is suggesting that you leave your car at home and use another form of transport when the rate is highest. Sounds a bit like road pricing, doesn't it?
	I see your point. You mean it could be a taste of things to come.
			Exactly!
	Well, well. You're becoming quite the economics expert, aren't you?
			You could be right.
	Off to the insurance company website then - get your Dwayne sorted out!
			And we'll get a taxi next Christmas Eve, eh?
	Yeah, if you're paying!

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