The UK government is considering a new rule that would prevent drivers under the age of 25 from carrying young passengers. This is being suggested to improve road safety. The plan is being led by Sharon Huddlestone, a woman who lost her daughter in a car accident. Her daughter’s friend had received her driving licence just four months before the crash.
Road safety charity, Brake, has shared figures which show that one in five drivers crash within a year of passing their test. Additionally, new drivers carrying passengers of a similar age are four times more likely to die in a crash than those driving alone. Other countries, such as Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and some US states have already introduced similar licensing schemes for new drivers.
Previous governments in the UK did not try to implement the plans because they felt it would impact young people’s ability to work. However, this scheme has garnered significant support from UK citizens. The UK road minister, Richard Holden, will meet with campaigner Sharon Huddlestone, who lost her daughter in a car crash, and a crisis consultant, Radd Seiger. The government has not yet drawn up any policy and the meeting shows that conversations are at a preliminary stage.
New drivers in the UK can lose six points before their licence is seized in the first two years. More experienced drivers have 12 points to lose before their licence is taken away, according to the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act. This act could be amended to implement the new rule and new drivers could be banned from carrying young passengers for six or 12 months.
The plan is backed by the UK department of transport’s advisory body on supporting road crash victims. Automobile Association chief King and the UK’s most senior police officer responsible for roads, Jo Shiner, have also backed the campaign.
