Petition for Safer Driving Licences Gains Momentum After Tragic Accident

2025-03-02

A petition calling for significant changes to driving licence regulations in the UK has garnered nearly 100,000 signatures, sparking a potential debate on road safety in Parliament. The petition, titled “Safer Driving Licensing for Newly Qualified 17-19 Year Olds,” was launched by Crystal Owen in October 2024 following the tragic death of her 17-year-old son, Harvey, and three of his friends in a car crash in Wales. The group drowned after their vehicle left the road on a bend and landed in a water-filled ditch.

The petition advocates for the introduction of a Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) scheme, which would impose restrictions on newly qualified drivers aged 17 to 19. Key proposals include a mandatory six-month learning period before taking the practical driving test and a ban on carrying passengers under the age of 25 for the first six months after passing the test. Violations of these rules would result in six penalty points, immediate licence suspension, and a requirement to retake the practical test under the New Drivers Act 1995. Exemptions would apply to young parents, members of the armed forces, and those qualifying for the enhanced rate of mobility under Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Research cited in the petition highlights that one in five newly qualified drivers crashes within their first year of driving, and nearly 5,000 people are seriously injured or killed annually in accidents involving drivers aged 25 and under. Crystal Owen, now part of the campaign group “Forget Me Not Families Uniting,” argues that GDL could prevent approximately 537 deaths and serious injuries each year in the UK. The scheme has been effective worldwide for over 30 years, reducing fatalities and injuries among young drivers by up to 40%.

While the Department for Transport has stated it is not currently considering GDL, it acknowledges the disproportionate risk young drivers face on the roads and is exploring other measures to improve safety. The petition, supported by road safety organisations such as Brake, is expected to reach 100,000 signatures soon, which would require a government response and could lead to a parliamentary debate.

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

Petition for driving licence changes in UK gets almost 1,00,000 signatures: Check what regulations can be changed

If the petition reaches the 1,00,000-mark, then it can spark a debate on road safety in the parliament. Road safety advocates in the UK have voiced th

m.economictimes.com

Driving licence changes backed by 100,000 as petition hits milestone

A bereaved mother has given her support to the introduction of graduated driving licences after her 17 year old son and three friends were killed in a

www.birminghammail.co.uk