New drivers under the age of 21 should be banned from carrying similar-age passengers for six months after passing their test, the Government has been told.
New drivers caught not wearing seatbelts should also be given six points for the offence, effectively stripping them of their licence, the AA has said. In 2023, more than one third (36%) of 17-29-year-old drivers who died in a car crash were not wearing their seatbelt.
The AA, which has stepped up its campaign for graduated driving licence restrictions, also says younger newly qualified drivers should display a ‘G’ plate – denoting Graduate driver – for the first six months after passing their test.
One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and figures show 290 people were killed in young driver crashes last year with more than 1,300 seriously injured.
The AA said graduated driver licensing could significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries, as already shown in other countries.
Proposals were announced under the last administration for a progressive licensing system and the AA urging the new government to push ahead with restrictions.
Concerns about young, newly qualified drivers being able to carry passengers were raised earlier this month by a coroner during the inquest into the deaths of four teenagers a year ago.
Hugo Morris, 18, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Jevon Hirst, 16, all from Shrewsbury, died when their car left a rural road and overturned into a flooded ditch.
Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: “There is a great swell of support for the introduction of graduated driver licensing so this government has a real opportunity to make it happen and save lives.
“The very recent inquest into the tragic deaths of four young men is a stark reminder that action needs to be taken to protect young lives, and it needs to be taken sooner rather than later.”
Research by the AA has found that passenger restrictions would be most supported by drivers, with a third (33%) saying they would implement it over other possible tactics. This was followed by ‘G plates’ (24%), then by a logbook (18%) and heavier penalties for not wearing a seatbelt (8%).
Sharron Huddleston, who formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group from those like herself who have lost loved ones in crashes, said: “Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many more young people need to die before action is taken?
“Our message is simple – listen to us, listen to the experts, listen to the AA, and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing graduated driving licensing for young novice drivers. My daughter, Caitlin, would be alive today if action had been taken when the concept of graduated licences was floated years ago.”
