Motorists warned of two rule changes in crackdown on dangerous driving

In a bid to curb dangerous driving, millions of UK drivers could soon face two significant rule changes. The proposal has been backed by the Labour Party and, if implemented, would follow campaigns by the AA aimed at improving road safety.

Among younger motorists, those under 21 years old are likely to feel the brunt of these new measures. The suggested reforms include implementing a graduated driving licence system.

This change would restrict newly-qualified drivers from carrying passengers of similar age for six months post-licensing, and also enforce a tougher penalty of six points for anyone caught not wearing a seatbelt, reports Birmingham Live.

AA's chief executive, Jakob Pfaudler, emphasised the importance of the changes: "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."

"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."

Adding a personal perspective to the debate, Crystal Owen, mother of Harvey Owen who tragically drowned alongside three others after their car veered into a ditch on a trip to Snowdonia last November, voiced her concerns to the Sunday Times, expressing surprise that the UK has not already adopted graduated licences.

She expressed her confusion, stating: "I thought: 'What the hell is going on? Why is this or some version of it not law? '" She further explained: "Their brains are not fully formed, which is why we have other restrictions on things like buying cigarettes."

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) responded: "Whilst 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.

"That's why we are committed to delivering a new road safety strategy – the first in over a decade – and will set out next steps on this in due course."