It is widely recognised that young and newly qualified drivers are involved in a disproportionate amount of road traffic accidents, which frequently cause life-changing injuries and even death.
Road safety organisations have therefore welcomed the news that Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to look at introducing a graduated licensing (GDL) scheme for young drivers.
The pledge came during Prime Minister’s Questions, as Labour MP Jenny Chapman told MPs that one in four young drivers were involved in an accident within the first two years of starting to drive.
Mrs May apparently commented that: "There are too many people who suffer a loss and tragedy at the hands of learner drivers and we will certainly look at that."
According to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, the promised review is long overdue. Although very few learner drivers are responsible for deaths, IAM RoadSmart strongly supports a review of the way we equip new drivers to cope with the first few dangerous months of solo driving. Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people in the UK today, but the charity believes they aren’t treated with the same urgency as knife or drug crime.
“Too many young drivers pass the practical test unprepared for the road so any GDL scheme must focus on building experience in all traffic conditions,” said Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research.
“GDL shouldn’t stop at the practical test and IAM RoadSmart supports post-test check-ups to embed learning and help new drivers negotiate our stressful roads,” he added.
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