UK Driving Licence Changes: Petition Nears 100,000 Signatures for Graduated Driving Licence Scheme

Image credits: Alamy

A petition calling for major driving licence changes in the UK has gained significant momentum, with nearly 100,000 signatures collected so far. The petition, launched by Crystal Owen, the mother of a teenager who died in a car crash, is advocating for the introduction of a Graduated Driving Licence (GDL) scheme to improve road safety for young drivers. The GDL scheme would see certain restrictions placed on motorists who have recently passed their test, including a minimum six-month learning period before being eligible for a practical test and a ban on recently qualified drivers carrying passengers under the age of 25 for the first six months after passing their test.

The petition has been supported by road safety organisations around the UK, including Brake, and influential road safety campaigners like Dr Ian Greenwood and Edmund King OBE. According to the Department for Transport, almost 5,000 people are seriously injured or killed in a road traffic collision involving a young driver aged 25 and under each year in the UK. The petition cites research which suggests one in five newly qualified drivers crash within their first year of motoring, highlighting the need for improved road safety measures. The proposed GDL scheme has been shown to be effective in reducing deaths and serious injuries involving young, inexperienced drivers by up to 40% worldwide.

The petition's proposals include a ban on recently qualified drivers carrying passengers under the age of 25 for the first six months after passing their test, with exemptions available for young parents, people who qualify for the enhanced rate of mobility of PIP, and members of the armed forces. Violating this rule would result in the driver being handed six penalty points, an immediate suspension of their licence, and a requirement to retake their practical test. The petition has been backed by over 96,000 people, and if it reaches 100,000 signatures, it could be considered for a debate in Parliament. The Government has previously ruled out introducing new measures, but the petition could reignite debate around road safety.

The issue of road safety is a critical one, with young drivers being disproportionately represented in road traffic collisions. The Graduated Driving Licence scheme is seen as a key measure to address this issue, and the petition's success has highlighted the need for urgent action to improve road safety. The petition's supporters argue that the proposed measures would not only save lives but also reduce the number of serious injuries on the roads. With the petition nearing its target of 100,000 signatures, it is likely that the issue will be taken up by Parliament, and the Government will be forced to reconsider its position on the introduction of a GDL scheme.

The petition's success has also highlighted the importance of road safety education and the need for increased awareness of the risks associated with young drivers. The proposed GDL scheme would include a minimum six-month learning period, which would provide young drivers with the necessary skills and experience to drive safely. The scheme would also include a ban on recently qualified drivers carrying passengers under the age of 25, which would reduce the risk of accidents caused by inexperienced drivers. The petition's supporters believe that the introduction of a GDL scheme would be a major step forward in improving road safety in the UK, and they are urging the Government to take action to introduce the scheme as soon as possible.