The British Red Cross is lobbying the Government to change the law and require the driving test to include an element of basic first aid.
More than eight people die each day on UK roads, and statistics say half of deaths caused by road accidents happen in the first few minutes after a crash, before the emergency services arrive.
The Red Cross says up to 85% of these pre-hospital deaths could be avoided if first aid was administered.
It proposes a revised theory test that includes more first aid questions and first-aid related additions to the hazard perception video test.
New drivers are being particularly targeted because they are most likely to be involved in a crash.
A spokesman for the British Red Cross said: ‘Although it is clearly preferable to avoid accidents happening in the first place, the reality is that accidents will continue to occur on our roads.
‘Basic first aid skills, such as learning to clear the airway or to control bleeding, can be learnt in a matter of hours and could mean the difference between life and death.’
Roger Vincent, spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said the concept of raising first aid awareness among drivers was a good one, but he had questions over the practicalities.
He said: ‘The difficulty arises in how to practically set up training. First aiders will need refresher training, so we imagine some practical problems, but we would need to see more detail.’
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