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RoSPA - Tragic deaths highlight more must be done to protect young road users
The six tragic deaths on Britain’s roads over the weekend highlights the drastic need to do more to protect young people.
Three 17 year olds, along with a grandmother aged 68, were killed in a crash in Powys on Friday night, while three others are fighting for their lives. The following day two boys, aged 13 and 14, were also killed in an incident in Leeds.
Although the causes of the incidents are not known, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is campaigning for measures which will protect young people on the road.
A total of 131 young drivers were killed on the roads in 2013, while 1,159 were left with serious injuries. In the build-up to the general election on May 7, RoSPA is lobbying every party with Westminster representation to agree to a Green Paper on young drivers in a bid to save the hundreds killed or seriously injured on the roads each year.
RoSPA wants to see each party commit to the Green Paper in their election manifestos.
The charity, which has been at the heart of accident prevention in the UK and around the world for almost a century, is supported in its call by 24 influencers, charities and organisations.
Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA’s chief executive, said: “The unfortunate events over the weekend demonstrate exactly how dangerous Britain’s roads can be, particularly for those who have not been behind the wheel for long.
“More must be done to prevent the terribly high number of young casualties, so we are calling for a radical approach to be taken by all political parties.”
RoSPA recommends a comprehensive package of measures as part of its suggested Green Paper, including graduated driver licensing.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA’s head of road safety, added: “Young drivers are more likely to be involved in road accidents than experienced drivers - and yet they drive fewer miles.
“Sadly, they account for about 20 per cent of all road deaths. But if we all work more closely together, there is scope to reduce, significantly, the number of incidents involving new and inexperienced drivers.”
