Learner Plate on Rear of Red Car looking up towards sky
A petition which calls for harsher penalties on those who abuse learner drivers and their instructors has topped 10,000 signatures.
The petition is part of a campaign launched by learner driver insurer, Marmalade, on the back of a survey highlighting the levels of abuse and intimidation learner drivers face.
The survey found 99% of driving instructors have witnessed abuse directed at their pupils while 59% believe the issue has worsened since the start of the Covid pandemic.
Meanwhile, 81% of learner drivers say they have experienced abuse and intimidation from other road users while driving.
The petition calls on the Government to “make disregard for the safety of drivers displaying an L-plate an aggravating factor in dangerous driving and careless driving offences”.
It says “this would allow courts to impose stronger sentences on drivers who do not take sufficient precautions when driving near learner drivers”.
The petition currently has more than 10,200 signatures and has been supported by MP for Liverpool, Walton, Dan Carden.
Mr Carden described the abuse learner drivers have experienced as “unacceptable” and said his constituents who have signed the petition want to see learners treated with “patience and kindness”.
The petition has also gained industry support from the ADI National Joint Council (ADINJC), the Driving Instructor Association (DIA) and insurance provider Ageas.
Charles Moffat, chair of the ADINJC, said: “The ADINJC fully and firmly supports the campaign organised by Marmalade against aggressive and abusive behaviour towards learner drivers.
“Our members and their pupils are only too familiar with the stresses and dangers that it all too frequently causes.”
Having achieved the 10,000 signature milestone, the petition has now received a response from the Government.
The DfT said: “The Government is committed to road safety, by identifying and prosecuting the few who make our roads less safe. Aggravating factors are set out in the sentencing guidelines.
“The Government keeps road traffic offences under review, and the Department for Transport is planning to publish a call for evidence on motoring offences.”
Should the petition reach 100,000 signatures the matter will be debated in Parliament.
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