Calls to ban young drivers from giving lifts to similar-aged passengers
Two men in a car, with one driving / Credit: David Emrich (via Unplash)
Calls have been made to introduce a new law that would ban young drivers from carrying passengers that are a similar age to them.
According to new data and a rallying cry from leading motoring company, The AA, it’s estimated that at least 58 lives could be saved, and around 260 serious injuries could be avoided annually on UK roads if a so-called graduated driver licensing (GDL) system is introduced nationwide.
As part of the AA’s proposed GDL system, new drivers under the age of 21 would not be allowed to carry peer-aged passengers for six months after passing their test, with exemptions for parents and carers.
New research by the company shows that 33% of Brits are in favour of the measure.
Similarly, a recent YouGov survey of the UK public into the proposal has also found that 30% of respondents support it, while only around 16% oppose it.
It is also suggested that new drivers should face six points for not wearing a seatbelt, which would effectively make them lose their licence for this offence under the ‘New Drivers Act’, and that under 21-year-old motorists should display a ‘G’ plate (denoting Graduate driver) for the first six months after passing their test to help aid the police‘s enforcement of the measures.
Research has revealed that 24% of respondents are in favour of the ‘G’ plates, while followed by a logbook (18%) and heavier penalties for not wearing a seatbelt (8%).
Jakob Pfaudler, who is the CEO of The AA, said that similar Graduated Driver Licensing systems in other countries have proven to “significantly reduce” road deaths and serious injuries.
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The AA is therefore calling on the Government and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to make “simple, pragmatic changes” to the licensing process so that young people are “better protected” in their first few months of driving independently.
Featured Image – David Emrich (via Unplash)