Many Britons are against calls for new driving licence changes to crack down on certain drivers, despite 100,000 people signing a petition demanding that new rules are introduced.
New data has found that six in 10 drivers are against introducing rules to crack down on younger motorists who may be more dangerous behind the wheel.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that it will abandon plans for a Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) system for young drivers, which aim to make them safer on the road.
Such a scheme aims to ensure that people who have recently received their licence are safe through certain measures, including a ban on same-age passengers or a curfew.
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A new survey found that a majority of Britons are against driving licence changes
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The TTC survey found that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of people were in favour of a "zero alcohol or drug" drive limit for all drivers between 17 and 24.
Just over half of survey respondents also backled calls to introduce motorway driving as part of the practical driving test to ensure everyone with a car is confident in all circumstances.
A GDL scheme is already in operation in the United States, New Zealand and Sweden, and has resulted in younger motorists being safer behind the wheel.
Just under half of motorists supported the addition of a documentary as part of the theory test to hammer home "real stories" of friends and families who have lost loved ones because of a road traffic accident.
GDL systems have been found to improve road safety in other countries
PADavid Marsh, CEO at TTC Group, said: "The news that the GDL has been scrapped comes as a blow to many road safety campaigners who have promoted it as a positive move in a bid to help reduce road casualty figures.
"Whilst there has been a 60 per cent decrease in the number of young driver incidents, there is clear evidence that a disproportionate number of people are still being killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a young driver."
Statistics from the Department for Transport show that young men aged between 17 and 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured, compared with all car drivers over the age of 25.
In 2023, around one-fifth of all casualties in which someone was killed or seriously injured in a collision involved a young car driver.
The research comes as a groundbreaking petition crosses 100,000 verified signatures, calling for new rules for newly qualified drivers between the ages of 17 and 19.
Road safety campaigner Crystal Owen launched the petition after the death of her son, Harvey, 17, and his three friends. Their car came off a Welsh road and landed in a water-filled ditch, causing them all to drown in November 2023.
The mother said the boys' deaths could have been prevented if a Graduated Driving Licence scheme had been in place, with over 150 bereaved families coming together to form the "Forget Me Not Families Uniting" group to call for stronger measures.
Her petition has now been signed by almost 101,000 people, who back suggested proposals including a minimum six-month learning period before being eligible for a practical test, as well as the threat of six licence points if they carry anyone under the age of 25 for the first six months after passing their test.
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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 introduced
PAA 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 exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers."
