The Automobile Association has said that drivers under 21 yrs old who have just passed their tests should be barred from carrying passengers of a similar age for their first six months as drivers.
The AA also suggested stringent rules that would also see them handed six penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt during their (probationary) period — an act that could have them lose their licence.
The motoring organisation fuether said the proposal for a particular type of licence aimed at new, young drivers has the potential to prevent 934 serious injuries and save 58 lives on UK roads each year.
Similar measures – known as graduated driving licensing (GDL) – already exist in Northern Ireland, but the Department for Transport (DfT) has said it is not currently considering the measures for other places in the UK.
While the proposed changes is primary focused on younger drivers, in other jurisdictions – like Canada – all new drivers are subject to restrictions after passing their test, notwithstanding their age.
In Northern Ireland, where GDL already exists, drivers are compelled to display amber R plates for one year the date of passing their test.
Currently in the UK, new drivers’ licenses can be revoked if they get six or more points within two years of passing their test, and more experienced drivers can be banned if they get 12 or more penalty points within three years.
Statistics from the DfT have revealed that 290 people were killed and 4,669 others seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads last year. These accidents involved at least one driver aged 17-24.
While speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of road policy, said what was noticeable across countries with the policy already in place was “a reduction of death and serious injuries to younger drivers and their passengers” by 20% to 40%.
Mr Cousens further said that while the government was bringing forward a road safety strategy, at the moment it was “not convinced” of the need for GDL.
“We feel that something has to be done, so we’re going to keep banging this drum,” he said. “Hopefully the government will change tack and see that, actually, we need to make some changes for our younger drivers.”
