MPs are being encouraged to back a new Bill that will set the wheels in motion for the introduction of graduated driver licencing.
The Bill was presented to Parliament today (7 May) by Kim Leadbeater MP.
It proposes that the Government ‘makes provision about licences issued to new drivers for the period of six months after the issuing of the licence, for the purpose of increasing safety for road users; and for connected purposes’.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen said: “We are losing far too many young people on our roads and we have to look at some ways we can try and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries – and GDL is one way of doing that.”
‘We are losing far too many young people on our roads’
Kim Leadbeater MP spoke to #BBCBreakfast about why she wants the restrictions on new drivers which could include a limit on passenger numbers and driving at nighthttps://t.co/bYYp5PtWId pic.twitter.com/PCVGbE62J7
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 7, 2024
GDL has been heavily featured in the media recently, with the findings of a recent Road Safety News readers’ survey showing overwhelming support for its introduction.
GDL is also supported by stakeholders, including Road Safety GB and the RAC.
Reacting to the new Bill, the RAC says “the tragic statistics speak for themselves”.
Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesperson, said: “Young drivers, especially men, are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured on our roads, so it’s high time a renewed focus was given to reducing casualties.
“Families up and down the country who have lost sons and daughters far too soon are looking for something to change, and graduated driving licences could well be the answer.
“Passing the practical driving test is the very first step in anyone’s driving career, but there remains so much more to learn to become a safe, proficient and confident driver. We call on MPs to back this Bill and set the wheels in motion in creating legislation that has the potential to save lives.”
Last weekend on a longish drive I saw some truly appalling riding by quite a few motorcyclists, most of whom will have experience of the GDL scheme. It doesn’t seem to have fixed motorcycling, so why would we expect it to fix driving?
When we look at driving tests we find that around half of them are passed. This leads me to think that learners are being tested long before they have reached anything like a decent standard. When we look at what happens to those who have just passed their test we find a high incidence of collisions and that leads me to think that what is being taught is not what they need to learn in order to become safe drivers. Learning to drive needs a systemic overhaul.
David Daw, Bury St Edmunds
+3
> graduated driving licences could well be the answer
“Could well be” is usually a synonym for “isn’t”
As I’ve mentioned previously, GDL is a complete and utter waste of time. Let’s fix the driving syllabus instead of attempting to plaster over the shortcomings of the aforementioned syllabus onto people who have apparently “passed” a driving test.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
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