The introduction of graduated driver licensing (GDL) would save lives on UK roads, says Public Health Wales.
In response to a Welsh Government consultation on its new road safety strategy, Public Health Wales describes GDL as a system designed to help new drivers of motor vehicles gain experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments.
It says a wide range of measures could be considered within a GDL, but options may include a period when newly qualified drivers under the age of 25 years are not permitted to give lifts to other young people and are not permitted to drive late at night.
Public Health Wales’ position statement for a GDL also recommends a night time driving restriction and a drink drive limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood.
The Welsh Government’s consultation on Road Safety in Wales – A New Road Safety Strategy runs for 12-weeks.
In its response, Public Health Wales has called for a road safety strategy that focuses on public health, addresses inequalities in the harms that result from the road traffic environment, and prioritises walking, cycling and public transport.
It also recommends that pedestrian crossing wait times should be cut while time allowed to cross should be extended. Other specific policy proposals included ensuring that cycling infrastructure should be clearly separated from other motor vehicles and that ‘paint only’ is not acceptable.
Public Health Wales outlines its belief that a social marketing campaign should be undertaken to improve understanding of who pays for the roads (everyone through taxation, not just drivers) and who has priority in the road space (the most vulnerable road users, not drivers).
Dr Sarah Jones, consultant in environmental public health at Public Health Wales, said: “Historically, our road network has been built with the prioritisation of private motor vehicle users in mind, but it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not an approach that is fit for the future.
“A modal shift is required to encourage more people to use transport options such as walking, cycling, or public transport, as an alternative to the car. Only then can Wales hope to develop a road system that supports decarbonisation efforts that will reduce air pollution and address the climate emergency, as well as inequalities in access.
“A road safety strategy is a public health strategy, and all elements of the new strategy should be explicitly considered in terms of how they may be expected to protect, improve or harm health.”
Great. But who’s going to do it. As far as I can see the DVSA have their hands – and minds- more than full dealing with the standard driving test applications.
Nigel+ALBRIGHT
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> It says a wide range of measures could be considered within a GDL, but options may include a period when newly qualified drivers under the age of 25 years are not permitted to give lifts to other young people and are not permitted to drive late at night.
I look forward to clarification as to the average age of members of the relevant working group of Public Health Wales that are pushing this idea.
Clearly they are older than 25 years old and perhaps they should also perhaps consider the same GDL constraints for those who are older than the State Pension age, as we’ve often heard on this site that old age reduces driving ability.
But that won’t happen, as people who tend to support GDL would not like it happen to them.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
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