Driving licence plans that could ban motorists from carrying passengers ruled out - 'Really disappointed!'
Road safety campaigners have called for new laws that could boost road safety for young motorists
PA
Experts have called for the Government to introduce new driving licence rules which could save a number of lives every year, despite the Department for Transport ruling out changes.
A Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) scheme has been identified as helping to keep young motorists safe on the road, with many safety organisations supporting these calls. Research from the AA reported that they could save 58 lives a year if introduced.
Road safety campaigner Crystal Owen has been one of the most prominent supporters of these measures following the death of her son, Harvey, and three of his friends last year.
Harvey Owen, 17, Hugo Morris, 18, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Jevon Hirst, 16, died after their car veered off a rural road in Gwynedd and "entered into a water-filled drainage ditch" after visiting Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
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Crystal Owen, whose son Harvey Owen, 17, was one of four teenagers killed in a crash last year, said law changes need to be made PAThe bereaved mother has launched "Forget-me-not Families Uniting", which now has more than 160 members, and calls for Graduated Driving Licences to be introduced in the UK.
Speaking to BBC Politics Midlands about the potential driving licence changes, Owen said: "We're really disappointed.
She said: "I'm hoping they do continue consultation work and look further into GDL. There isn't anything that we know of that will save lives like Graduated Licences will.
"It's not just an idea, it's been in other countries for over three decades now and there's a huge amount of evidence to back this campaign up."
The AA has supported the uptake of such measures to help keep all road users safe. Alongside the GDL, motorists could be blocked from carrying same-aged passengers for six months, as well as having a unique identifier on their number plate.
She noted how the safety of young drivers had been discussed in Parliament since the 1930s, while debates have been made since the 1990s. She questioned why it had taken so long for it to be prioritised.
Owen called for more education to be made available in schools to help ensure that young people know how to be safe when behind the wheel.
Rachel Taylor, Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, said the Government was looking into potential measures to be introduced to boost road safety.
She clarified that a road safety strategy could be launched for the first time in 10 years, which would apply to all drivers, as well as changes to the layout of roads across the UK.
Similarly, Conservative MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire Mike Wood, said the Government should look at a range of measures to improve road safety.
He added: "We need to be looking at other countries where graduated driving licences have been tried like Canada and New Zealand and which parts work there, with the sensible exceptions that Crystal suggested.
"Some of those will need legislative change. There are also other measures that can be brought in whether it's other things like promoting the PassPlus scheme to make sure that young drivers do have a wider range of experience."
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Some experts have praised the use of the PassPlus scheme
PAThe PassPlus scheme aims to help young motorists adapt to driving scenarios which they may not be used to, such as on the motorway and rural roads.
It also helps motorists navigate complicated city situations, driving in all weather conditions and night driving - all of which have been highlighted by experts as lacking in younger drivers.
A DfT spokesperson told GB News: "Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
"Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are considering other measures to tackle this problem and protect young drivers."
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