The AA is calling for the introduction of a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL), which would help address teenage deaths on the roads by limiting same-age passengers for newly qualified drivers for six months once they have passed their test.
An average of five people per day are killed on UK roads and 82 are seriously injured, but one in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and 1500+ young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.
The call comes as the General Election enters its final week.
Key Facts:
- 72% AA members think graduated licence limiting passengers is a good idea**
- One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test.
- 1500 young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.
- With every extra same-age passenger, you are four times more likely to crash.
- Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years old (World Heath Organisation)
- In 2022 young drivers involved in 22% fatal collisions but made up just 8% licence holders
- Every week 4 young 17-29 killed or seriously injured NOT wearing seat belts
- 2022 30% fatalities amongst 17-29 yr olds NOT wearing seat belts
- Graduated licences work in Australia, New Zealand, and Canda
- 20% to 40% could avoid death or serious injury with graduated licences supporting new drivers
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “One of the major issues that needs to be addressed is the needless deaths of young drivers, their passengers and others caught up in these crashes. Each year nearly 5,000 people are killed or seriously injured in crashes involving at least one young driver. One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test.
“The AA believes we need a system of graduated learning with a logbook whereby all learners need to demonstrate their skills on all types of roads and crucially on rural roads where 71% of new driver fatal crashes occur, and in different weather conditions and different times of day or night.
“Once they have passed their test the driver shouldn’t be allowed to carry same age passengers for at least six months as research shows that with every same age passenger, they are four times more likely to crash. Most people don’t realise, until it is too late, that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 5-29 years according to the World Health Organisation. We owe it to the next generation to introduce positive measures that will help give them healthy and prosperous lives.”
Sharron Huddleston, who has formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group from those like herself who have lost loved ones in crashes, said: “Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many more young people need to die before action is taken?
“We can’t sit back any longer and just watch as more and more young people are killed or seriously injured in road collisions.
“Our message to all political parties is simple – listen to us, listen to the experts, listen to The AA and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing graduated driving licensing for young novice drivers. My daughter, Caitlin, would be alive today if action had been taken when the concept of graduated licences was floated years ago.”
