Millions of young motorists across the UK could soon face significant new restrictions on their driving licences. The Labour government has kickstarted a major road safety initiative that may introduce night-time driving bans and limits on carrying young passengers for those aged 17 to 24.
Protect Young Drivers Campaign Launched at Westminster
The Protect Young Drivers campaign was officially launched at Westminster during Road Safety Week. The high-profile event brought together a powerful coalition, including MPs, Police and Crime Commissioners, emergency services, insurers, researchers, and bereaved families. Road Safety Minister Lilian Greenwood's attendance signalled the government's serious commitment to tackling this issue.
The campaign's urgency is underscored by stark statistics. Data reveals that 24% of all fatal or serious injury collisions in Britain involve drivers aged between 17 and 24. This disproportionate risk has prompted calls for systemic change.
The Case for Graduated Driving Licensing
Campaigners are advocating for the adoption of a Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) system, a model already saving lives in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The proposed GDL measures for the UK typically encompass three key restrictions:
- A ban on driving during late-night hours.
- Restrictions on carrying passengers of a similar age.
- Mandatory minimum learning periods before taking the practical test.
Rebecca Morris, who created the Protect Young Drivers website with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), stated the resource provides a crucial hub of evidence and lived experience. She emphasised it marks a "significant new phase" in the cross-sector movement to reduce young driver and passenger deaths.
The Wider Impact and International Evidence
The consequences of crashes involving young drivers extend far beyond the vehicle itself. In 2024 alone, nearly 5,000 people were killed or seriously injured in accidents involving at least one young driver. This tragic figure includes pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users completely unconnected to the young motorist.
International evidence strongly supports the effectiveness of GDL. Since implementing GDL across all provinces, Canada saw an 83% reduction in deaths among drivers aged 16 to 19. In New South Wales, Australia, strengthening GDL rules led to a 55% drop in fatal crashes among probationary drivers. New Zealand also recorded a 23% reduction in injury collisions for 15 to 19-year-olds following its introduction.
Campaigners stress that GDL is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. It can be carefully adapted to the UK's specific needs, balancing the goal of allowing young people to gain independence through driving with the imperative to drastically reduce risk during their most vulnerable initial years on the road.
