There’s growing support for new driving licence rules that could place restrictions on newly qualified drivers, especially younger ones.
Alison Lowe, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire, is backing a plan that would bring in extra rules for those who’ve just passed their test. These could include a ban on carrying same-age passengers for the first year and a curfew between 11pm and 5am.
The idea is part of a Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) scheme, which has been gaining traction in recent years. Road safety experts say something needs to change to better protect all road users, especially younger drivers who are statistically more likely to be involved in serious crashes.
Families who’ve lost loved ones in crashes involving young drivers have also spoken out in support of the changes. One family said, "The ongoing impact and devastation of the death of a loved one in these circumstances cannot adequately be put into words.
"We want to do everything in our power to prevent it from happening to anyone else. Graduated Driving Licences offer one such opportunity, backing their introduction is an easy decision."
Alison Lowe has personal reasons for backing the scheme. Her sister Debbie was killed by a speeding driver when she was just three years old. “A big change is needed" Lowe said.
She recently met with bereaved families in Leeds to unveil a memorial for victims of reckless driving and called on the Government to act now.
GDL-style rules are already in place in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, and even Northern Ireland. They aim to help new drivers gain confidence without unnecessary risks or distractions.
The Government, however, says it’s not currently planning to introduce GDL in England. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads.
"We are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers."
Campaigns like THINK! are also targeting road safety, especially among young men aged 17 to 24, who are statistically more at risk.
Lowe, a former Leeds city councillor and now a strong voice for road safety, is also behind the West Yorkshire Vision Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries in the region by 2040.
