The AA has revealed a new plan for a Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) scheme in the UK, which could potentially save up to 58 lives every year. Under this proposal, new drivers under 21 would have to display a ‘G’ plate on their car for the first six months after passing their test. Failing to do so would result in three points on their licence. During this period, they would also be banned from carrying passengers of a similar age, except for parents and carers, to reduce risky situations caused by peer pressure.
The Department for Transport’s data shows that if caught without a seatbelt during the first six months of driving, new drivers would face six penalty points, instead of the usual three and a £500 fine. They would also be required to log their driving experience on different road types and conditions before getting fully licensed.
Graduated Driver’s Licence schemes have been shown to improve safety in other countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, reducing deaths and serious injuries by 20-40%. In the UK, 290 people were killed last year in crashes involving young drivers, and 1,327 were seriously injured. The AA estimates a GDL could prevent 58 deaths and 934 serious injuries annually.
AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler has urged the government to adopt this scheme, noting, “Graduated Driver Licensing has been proven in other countries to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries,”
“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.”
What do you think about this idea? Let us know in the comments!
