In response to the number of road accidents resulting in deaths and serious injuries, Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, has proposed a series of stringent measures to be applied to new drivers. The proposed measures would introduce a graduated driving licence scheme, aimed at reducing risks on the road.
In the UK, drivers between the age of 17 and 24 make up 6% of the driving population however they represent 18% of all car drivers killed or seriously injured. 1 in 5 drivers also have a collision in their first year on the roads.
The proposed scheme aims to combat this. It would see new drivers subject to a probationary period during which they must adhere to specific conditions. For example, a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol aims to curb drink-driving incidents, night-time driving restrictions to address the higher risk of accidents in low-visibility conditions and limiting the number of young passengers to reduce distractions and minimise the peer pressure that can lead to reckless driving.
The scheme was inspired by Dr Ian Greenwood, a road safety expert. He has been campaigning for graduated driving licenses and believes that political action is needed. He says people in his team have been campaigning since the 1980’s and feel “ignored”.
Chris Hind, campaigns officer for Brake, a Huddersfield based road safety charity says that in Australia, they implemented a similar scheme in 2004. He said that “they found the amount of young drivers involved in crashes reduced by 30%” He added that “it’s hard to ignore” evidence like that.
Critics argue that by implementing graduate driving licenses, we reduce the level of independence young people have. Hind, in defence, argued that “the ultimate removal of independence is being killed in a crash.”
Kim Leadbeater is due to put forward the policy in parliament later today in a 10-minute rule motion.