PCC to renew pressure on minsters to introduce graduated driving licences to save lives

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen will join MPs and bereaved families in London next month in rallying for the introduction of graduated driving licences to better protect young and novice drivers.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC has offered full backing to families from Forget-me-not Families Uniting (FFU) group who are campaigning for urgent measures including Graduated Driving Licences (GDL) for newly qualified drivers to slash the high number of young driver deaths in the UK.

They include Karen and John Rowlands,from Durham, whose son Andew was a passenger in a car that had been bought by a friend for £100 and was illegal and unroadworthy when it crashed in June 2020, claiming his life.

Graduated licencing is already in place in some countries and typically involves restricting newly qualified drivers under 21 from driving at night and carrying passengers of a similar age for six months to reduce their exposure to high-risk situations before they are ready - a measure proven to reduce fatalities by up to 40%.

The Parliamentary drop-in meeting, organised by Northampton South MP Mike Reader, is set to take place on June 5 and will see leading experts in young driver risk, national media and representatives from road safety charities Brake and RoadPeace joining families to discuss evidence-led measures to reduce harm and save lives and show solidarity with campaigning families.

Safer Roads - a top public priority in Durham - is a key pillar in the Commissioner’s new Police, Crime and Justice Plan.

The PCC is working with national decision makers to bring reform and change in her role as Joint Lead of Roads Policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).  

Supporting the introduction of GDL is a key commitment in her Plan and she has vowed to partner with non-government organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders to promote road safety.

Among a long line of other road safety pledges, the Commissioner has promised to adopt a public health approach to education and awareness including public campaigns to promote safe driving and address crimes that cause death and serious injury on the region’s roads focusing on the ‘Fatal Four’ – speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, using hand-held mobile phones and drink/drug driving.

She is also campaigning for tougher regulations to avoid the sale of cars to illegal drivers, whether they are banned or underage, expressing her shock that young drivers can still purchase illegal and unroadworthy vehicles without compulsory checks following tragedies in Durham and beyond.  

PCC Joy Allen, who continues to put victims of crime at the centre of her safety work, said: “The number of young and inexperienced drivers killed on our roads is unacceptable and something I refuse to take lying down. We must continue to use every tool in the book to protect further potential victims and their families and indeed all road users by eliminating unnecessary risk.

“The majority of road collisions are preventable; caused by momentary lapses of judgement, poor decision-making and foolishness. This means that by changing minds and driving habits it is possible to help motorists avoid life-changing mistakes that can cost innocent lives.

“Where young, newly qualified drivers are concerned, I passionately believe there must be an incentive in law to protect them and their passengers from high-risk situations too soon, giving them time to adjust and build their experience and earn greater responsibility.

“Lives are at stake here, and if a simple tweak in law through the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences can avert just one serious injury or fatality, then surely it has to be worth it.  

“No family should ever experience the devastation of losing a loved one through a preventable tragedy, and I am deeply moved by the courage and strength shown by all bereaved families in fighting for these important changes. I will do absolutely everything in my power to see that their demands are actioned.”

One in five drivers is involved in a crash within the first year of passing their test, chiefly due to youth and inexperience with younger drivers more risk-averse and more likely to act impulsively.

Ministers ruled out the introduction of GDL in January this year, but campaigners have since renewed their calls for the measure, attracting support from national road safety Brake and MPs.

The new meeting will offer an opportunity for MPs to hear directly from families who have lost loved ones on the roads as they consider future action.

As part of her national APCC responsibilities for road safety, the PCC is also campaigning for a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers to bring England and Wales in line with Scotland and most of the rest of the world.

She is also calling for driving licences to be suspended for those arrested and charged with drink and drug driving offences until attendance at court and lobbying for the suspension of driving licences for those charged with serious driving offences that lead to a fatality or serious injury.

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Picture shows (L-R):  Karen and John Rowlands, Joy Allen and DawnKnight, Durham OPCC

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