Do you agree that we need a Graduated Driving Licensing system in the UK to better protect young drivers and passengers?
Hundreds of people have already signed our open letter to the incoming government, calling for the new law to be introduced within the first 100 days of the next Parliament.
Why? Because for decades, road casualty data has shown that young and inexperienced drivers, aged between 17 and 24, are at a far greater risk of being killed or injured in a road crash than any other age group. They are involved in 24% of all collisions resulting in death or serious injury in Great Britain, despite representing only 7% of the driving population.
In 2022 alone, 4,935 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes in Great Britain involving at least one young driver. This figure includes victims of all ages, not just those traveling in a young person’s car.
What is Graduated Driving Licensing?
At the moment, there are no safety measures in place to protect young and inexperienced drivers. When a new driver passes their test they can drive from that moment like any other driver – they can travel on motorways, carry multiple passengers and drive at any time of the day or night.
Graduated Driving Licensing would ensure that young, novice drivers are given the time and space they need to become safe and competent drivers before they face high-risk situations.
What would Graduated Driving Licensing look like in the UK?
Recommended Pre-test Changes
Changes for learner drivers should include:
- A minimum learning period of at least 6 months
- A minimum number of hours of practice of at least 50-60 hours
Recommended Post-test Changes
Changes for novice drivers should include:
- Drivers under 21 unable to carry peer-aged passengers for the first six months
- Drivers under 21 unable to drive between midnight and 4am for the first six months
Evidence from other countries
Graduated Driving Licensing has been in place in countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand for years.
As a result, there have been reductions of between 20% and 40% in crashes resulting in death and serious injury involving young drivers.
Unheard and ignored
Bereaved families, academics and road safety bodies have repeatedly called on successive governments to introduce a Graduated Driving Licensing system to ensure that young drivers and passengers are far better protected from road harm. But they have failed to introduce any type of licensing changes, citing concerns around the restriction of young people’s freedom.
But as the bereaved parents know only too well – nothing is more restrictive on a young person’s freedom than a fatal road crash.
For over 30 years, RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, has supported countless families of young drivers and passengers killed in road crashes, who have endured unimaginable pain.
Earlier this year, RoadPeace supported the launch of the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group, which has now grown to include more than 110 bereaved parents, all campaigning for GDL.
The group was launched on BBC Breakfast television in April 2024 and was covered on the programme again in June.
All signatures must be submitted before 11am on Tuesday June 25, 2024.
Updated on: 20 June 2024