Petition for Graduated Driving Licence Gains Momentum After Tragic Accident
A petition calling for the introduction of a Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) scheme in the UK, backed by nearly 100,000 signatures, has reignited the debate on road safety for young drivers. The campaign, spearheaded by Crystal Owen, follows the tragic death of her 17-year-old son Harvey and three friends in a car crash in Wales last year. The group drowned after their car left the road and landed in a water-filled ditch. Owen argues that a GDL system, which has been effective in reducing young driver fatalities by up to 40% in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, could have prevented the accident.
The proposed GDL scheme would impose restrictions on newly qualified drivers aged 17-19, including a minimum six-month learning period before taking the practical test and a ban on carrying passengers under 25 for the first six months after passing. Violations would result in six penalty points, licence suspension, and a requirement to retake the test. Exemptions would apply for young parents, those receiving enhanced mobility PIP, and armed forces members. Road safety organisations, including Brake, and campaigners like Dr Ian Greenwood and Edmund King OBE, have supported the petition.
Despite the Transport Secretary previously ruling out GDL, the Department for Transport (DfT) acknowledges the disproportionate risk young drivers face, with one in five newly qualified drivers crashing within their first year. The DfT is considering other measures to address the issue, with a new road safety strategy expected soon. The petition, nearing 100,000 signatures, could prompt a parliamentary debate, as petitions reaching this threshold are often considered for discussion.
Major driving licence changes backed by almost 100,000 Britons could place restrictions on motorists
Although the Transport Secretary has previously ruled out introducing new measures, the petition could reignite debate around road safety
www.gbnews.com
UK arms exports to Israel
This briefing provides information on UK arms exports to Israel, the arms export licensing system and the government’s reviews of existing licences to
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
AA calls for ban on new drivers under 21 carrying passengers of similar age in UK
Motoring organisation estimates introduction of graduated driving licences would save at least 58 lives a year
www.theguardian.com
BBC TV Licence could be free for all pensioners amid new rule change
The BBC TV Licence could be made free for all pensioners if a new rule change is introduced
www.leeds-live.co.uk
Thousands reject calls to allow 13-year-olds to drive - 'shivers down spine'
Motorists have rejected calls for teenagers aged just 13 to be given freedom to drive on UK roads after a popular petition was launched.
www.express.co.uk
Grieving families back law change which would ban new young drivers from carrying passengers
Crystal Owen, whose 17-year-old son Harvey died in a crash last November, is calling for the government to introduce a 'graduated driver licensing sch
news.sky.com