Proposal being considered to reduce accident rate
NEW DRIVERS UNDER the age of 25 could be prohibited from carrying passengers younger than 25 for up to a year after they pass their test, under plans being considered by the Government.
The new legislation is most likely to be introduced as part of an amendment to the existing Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act, which states that new drivers will have their licence revoked if they reach six penalty points within two years of passing their test.
Minister for Roads and Local Transport Richard Holden is understood to be considering the proposal.
The plans for a ‘graduated driving licence’ scheme were first brought forward by Sharron Huddleston, whose 18-year-old daughter Caitlin was killed in a 2017 car crash with her friend Skye Mitchell, also 18.
In April 2020, Huddleston submitted evidence to Parliament that included a recommendation that new drivers be required to display a P-plate, in addition to the suggested ban on them carrying young passengers. Other proposals included a night-time curfew, a ban on hands-free mobile phone use, zero tolerance on alcohol and restrictions on engine capacity.
A similar scheme was previously considered under Theresa May’s Government but didn’t materialise due to concerns about restrictions on the free movement of young drivers. There were also concerns that the scheme might be seen to be unfair, with incidents involving those aged 70 and over being similarly high.
Instead, recent legislation has focused on improving training for young drivers, such as making it possible for learners to drive on motorways with an approved instructor.
Commenting on Huddleston’s campaign, AA president Edmund King expressed support. “Young drivers are not just a risk to themselves,” he said. “These heartbreaking crashes have profound consequences.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) commented: “Every death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy, and we continue to work tirelessly to improve road safety for all users.”
According to Government statistics, people aged 17 to 29 accounted for 30% of road casualties and 26% of road fatalities in the year ending June 2022. In 2021, official statistics estimated that the same age group accounted for 14% of total driving licence holders.
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