More than 70 representatives from across the UK attended the parliamentary launch of Protect Young Drivers, signalling growing national momentum behind efforts to reduce young driver crashes.
Hosted by Andy McNae MP during Road Safety Week, the event brought together MPs, Police and Crime Commissioners, police and fire services, insurers, researchers, legal firms, educators, campaigners and bereaved families.
The Road Safety Minister, Lilian Greenwood, was also in attendance, reflecting senior Government interest in the issue.
Demand for the launch significantly exceeded expectations, prompting a last-minute move to a larger room within Parliament. Even after relocating, the venue remained full to capacity, with many attendees standing throughout – an indication of the scale of concern surrounding young driver safety.
Rebecca Morris, who developed the Protect Young Drivers website – alongside the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), said: “The Protect Young Drivers website has been developed as a shared resource, providing an accessible hub of evidence, data, research and lived experience for policymakers, practitioners and families.
“However, it is far more than a ‘website.’ It marks a significant new phase in the movement to reduce young driver and passenger deaths in the UK, bringing together dedicated cross-sector colleagues from across the UK.”
Sector-wide representation
The launch attracted a wide range of stakeholders:
- Multiple MPs, including Kim Leadbeater, David Williams, Michelle Scrogham, Caroline Nokes, Anna Dixon and Jeremy Wright
- Offices of the PCCs for Durham, Warwickshire, Cumbria, Surrey, Essex and West Mercia
- Police and fire services from Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Devon & Cornwall, West Yorkshire and others
- National bodies including PACTS, National Fire Chiefs’ Council and National Highways
- Charities and NGOs such as IAM RoadSmart, Brake, Road Safety GB, Safer Roads Humber, Vision Zero West Yorkshire and the Young Driver Foundation
- Legal and insurance organisations including Keoghs, Irwin Mitchell, Fletchers, RAC Foundation and TyreSafe
- Academia and research, including the University of Greenwich and HORIBA MIRA
- Road safety education and sector specialists including FirstCar, My Learner Driver, Leaders Unlocked and GCM
- Media including Sky News, Bauer Media and regional outlets
- Bereaved families who have lost young people in road collisions
Speakers included PCC Joy Allen, PCC Philip Seccombe, Chris Taylor and Sgt Owen Messenger, alongside presentations from Jamie Hassall, Executive Director of PACTS and Rebecca Morris.
Support the campaign
Stakeholders are being encouraged to use and share the new website as a central information hub.
A new set of social media graphics is now available, enabling partners and supporters to publicly show their backing for the initiative and help raise awareness of the site and its objectives.
They can be downloaded from the new website.
Organisations that have not yet signed up as website partners can do so by emailing their logo to Rebecca Morris.
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