Fresh calls for graduated driving licences for new drivers
Wed, 03 Jul 2024
The AA is renewing a call for the next government to introduce a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) that would put limits on the number of same-age passengers new drivers can carry for six months after passing their test.
The motoring organisation believes a GDL would help address teenage deaths – and says that nearly 3 in 4 of its members think a graduated licence is a good idea.
It is making the call on the eve of the General Election, pointing to figures that show a staggering 1500 young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.
One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test. Statistics show that for every extra same-age passenger in the car, a young driver is four times more likely to crash.
The grim figures continue with, in 2022, young drivers involved in 22% of fatal collisions, despite only making up 8% of licence holders. Indeed, according to the World Health Organisation, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults.
A graduated driving licence, similar to those proven to work in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, could help up to 40% of young drivers avoid death or serious injury, says the AA.
The AA believes there needs to be a system of graduated learning with a logbook whereby all learners need to demonstrate their skills on all types of roads – crucially on rural roads, where 71% of new driver fatal crashes occur – in different weather conditions and different times of day and night.
Once they have passed their test, the AA says drivers shouldn’t be allowed to carry same-age passengers for at least six months.
"Most people don’t realise, until it is too late, that road traffic injures are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years," says Edmund King of the AA.
Sharon Huddleston, who formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group after losing a loved one in a crash, has backed the call.
"Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many young people need to die before action is taken?" says Huddleston.
"Our message to all political parties is simple – listen to us, listen to the experts, listen to the AA and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing graduated driving licensing for young novice drivers," she adds.
My insurer would not insure my son to learn to drive in my car - do I need to state that he was declined insurance?
