A graduated driving licence scheme could save at least 58 lives annually and prevent 260 serious injuries, according to The AA.
It has now stepped up its call for the introduction of the system, with chief executive Jakob Pfaudler writing to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to highlight the benefits of GDL.
As part of the AA’s proposed GDL system, drivers under the age of 21 would not be allowed to carry peer-age passengers for six months after passing their test, while new drivers would face six points for not wearing a seatbelt.
Meanwhile, the introduction of new ‘G’ plates would aid police enforcement.
Graduated driving licence scheme
Jakob Pfaudler, CEO of The AA, said: “Graduated Driver Licensing has been proven in other countries to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries. Figures show 290 people were killed in young driver crashes last year with more than 1,300 seriously injured.
“Not only is this a tragic waste of life, but it contributes to the burden of high insurance premiums for young drivers. These premiums should fall when there is evidence of a reduction of young drivers and passengers killed and seriously injured.
“We are calling on the Transport Secretary to make simple, pragmatic changes to the licensing process so young people are better protected in their first few months of independent driving.”
Edmund King, director of The AA Charitable Trust, said: “Support for GDL is high among drivers and their top priority would be to introduce passenger restrictions. Parents tell us that this would help them to restrict their teenagers from taking passengers or being passengers with an inexperienced driver.
“The introduction of passenger restrictions would help mitigate the increased risk young drivers have to manage when they have peer-aged passengers travelling with them. A six month restriction is a small price to pay for saving young lives. There is a great swell of support for the introduction of GDL so this government has a real opportunity to make it happen and save lives.”
