WIREDGOV

The public is calling for greater measures to help keep young drivers safe on the road, according to a new survey.

An overwhelming number of people now recognise that something needs to be done to protect young drivers - those aged 17 to 24 - and support potentially life-saving measures being called for by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

In the YouGov survey commissioned by RoSPA and law firm Keoghs, 71 per cent of Brits said they support the implementation of some form of graduated driver licensing, a phased driving experience which would allow young drivers to build up confidence on the road.

A total of 67 per cent of people support the mandatory use of telematics in the cars of newly-qualified young motorists for a year after passing their test, a system which can monitor their driving and help to reduce insurance premiums.

Meanwhile, a huge number of those surveyed - 90 per cent - support the encouragement of further training for young drivers after they have passed their test.

These measures are part of a Green Paper proposal submitted to the newly-elected Government by RoSPA, and backed by a number of organisations including Keoghs, in a bid to save the hundreds of people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving 17-24 year olds each year.

Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA’s chief executive, said: “A total of 131 young drivers were killed on the road in 2013, while 1,159 were left with serious injuries. This is a serious issue that needs addressing immediately. It is encouraging that the majority of the public is now recognising this need and backing our calls to the Government.

“RoSPA’s campaign for legislation on the wearing of seatbelts was brought into force after the tide of public opinion forced politicians to sit up and take notice, and we hope that the results of this survey will serve to do the same.”

Graduated driver licensing would see a number of measures brought in to slowly introduce young drivers to the road after they pass their test. These would include the use of “P” plates for one year, of which 78 per cent of people are in support, and a lower drink-drive limit for young drivers - which is supported by 74 per cent of those surveyed.

More than half (53 per cent) of those asked are in favour preventing young people from driving at night, and the same number from carrying passengers aged 15-24, for a year after passing their tests unless accompanied by an experienced driver.

Keoghs has also campaigned on the issue for a number of years, and is committed to supporting change that will ensure young drivers and other road users are safer on our roads.

Steve Thomas, director of market and public affairs at the firm, said: “Too many young people are dying or being seriously injured in road accidents. We need to do more to make driving safer for young people. We have been calling on Government to consult on this important issue and hope that the new administration will take this forward.

“Looking at other countries where reform has been introduced, there seems no question that a well thought through and balanced package of measures to include enhanced training and some form of graduated driving licence system could make a real difference and prevent many of these accidents from occurring. Keoghs urges the Government to grasp the nettle and start a discussion to bring about change”.

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,070 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between May 8-11 2015. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).