AA backs calls to ban younger drivers giving just after they pass test

Young drivers should be banned from carrying passengers of a similar age for six months after passing their test and display plates with a 'G' for graduate, according to the AA.

Following calls by the grieving mother of an A-level student who died in a road crash with three young friends, the AA has backed graduated driving licensing for under-21s.

Hugo Morris, 18, who passed his test just six months earlier, was driving friends Harvey Owen, 17, Wilfred Fitchett, 17, and Jevon Hirst, 16, on a camping trip in north Wales last November when the accident happened.

An inquest last week heard how Hugo approached an 'inadequately signed' 90-degree corner too fast, under-steered and lost control in heavy rain. Although all were unhurt, they drowned after the car came to a rest upside down in a flooded ditch.

Harvey's mother, Crystal, has been demanding a law change.

As part of its proposals, the AA also wants under-21s to be handed six penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt in the first six months after passing their test. 

It estimates that graduated licensing – already in use in the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden – would save at least 58 lives and prevent 934 people being seriously injured in crashes each year.

The AA surveyed 10,556 of its members and found that passenger restrictions are the most popular element of the AA's proposed GDL with a third (33 per cent) saying they would implement it over other possible GDL tactics.

The second most popular aspect of GDL to implement, if only one could be chosen, was 'G' plates (24 per cent), followed by a logbook (18 per cent) and heavier penalties for not wearing a seatbelt (8 per cent).

Young drivers were considerably more likely to choose heavier seatbelt penalties as the one GDL element they would introduce (20 per cent). 

In 2023, more than one third (36 per cent) of 17 to 29-year old drivers who died in a car crash were not wearing their seatbelt.

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AA chief executive Jakob Pfaudler said: 'Graduated driver licensing has been proven in other countries to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries.

'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.'

Harvey's mother told the Daily Mail she was 'happy' the AA was supporting graduated licensing, adding: 'If these deaths were occurring in such high numbers by knife crime or murder, there would be an outcry, but sadly road deaths seem to be accepted.'

In 2019, the Department for Transport (DfT) said it was considering introducing graduated licensing in England. 

This was later dropped, partly because of the potential impact on young people's employment.

Following last week's inquest, senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, raised concerns about young drivers carrying passengers.

A DfT spokesman said: 'While we are not considering graduated driving licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are considering other measures to tackle this problem and protect young drivers.'

What does a graduate driving licence entail?

A GDL allows new drivers to pass through stages of experience learning and restriction – from winter weather driving to limits on the number of passengers and late night driving – where supervision is required.

As new drivers progress through stages, they gain more privileges until they are granted a full driver's licence after completing all the requirements.

Back in 2013, the RAC outlined a GDL with similar conditions. The probationary two-year period in which new drivers will have their test revoked if they get six points, currently exists today.

Why are GDLs being proposed?

GDLs have been backed for years by many safety organisations, including the RAC and AA.

A GDL lets new drivers gain experience gradually, and reduce the risks that surround inexperienced drivers. The first 1,000 miles a young and inexperienced driver covers are seen as crucial.

Mainly GDLs are proposed to reduce accidents and fatalities caused by young drivers.

In 2022 accidents totalled 29,742 in the UK – a fifth of which involved a young driver.

New Zealand is among the countries where a similar scheme has been introduced. Since legislation has come in, there's been a 23 per cent reduction in car collision injuries for 15 to 19-year-olds, and a 12 per cent reduction for 20 to 24-year-olds.

Sharron Huddleston, who formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group from those like herself who have lost loved ones in crashes, said: 'Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many more young people need to die before action is taken?

'Our message is simple – listen to us, listen to the experts, listen to The AA, and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing graduated driving licensing for young novice drivers. 

'My daughter, Caitlin, would be alive today if action had been taken when the concept of graduated licences was floated years ago.'

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