WIREDGOV

Following new figures showing that more than 23,000 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions involving young drivers in just five years the APCC’s joint leads for Roads Policing have called for decisive national action.

The figures underline the urgent need for a comprehensive approach combining education, enforcement, parental support and stronger protections for newly qualified drivers.

Joy Allen and Philip Seccombe, Joint Leads on Roads Policing and Transport, yesterday said:

“These figures are truly shocking and must be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as other preventable loss of life. 

“We have known about the disproportionate risks facing young and newly qualified drivers for far too long. Parents have a hugely important role to play, and we strongly support Operation Spotlight, but the responsibility for addressing a national road-safety crisis cannot be placed on families alone.

“Government must now match awareness campaigns with meaningful action. That means introducing a graduated driving licensing system, considering safeguards on high-risk night-time driving and carrying young passengers, lowering the drink-drive limit for novice drivers, improving training and ensuring young people gain experience across rural roads and in difficult conditions. We must also crack down on the social media platforms providing a stage for alarming content glorifying reckless driving, backed by visible and robust enforcement.  

“This is not about taking away young people’s independence or unfairly labelling them as dangerous. Most young drivers want to drive safely. It is about helping them develop experience gradually and protecting them, their passengers and every other person using our roads.

“The Government has set ambitious casualty-reduction targets. It must now implement evidence-led measures capable of delivering them. Warm words will not prevent the next collision – sustained action will.”

Editors’ notes:

• Joy Allen is the PCC for Durham and Darlington
• Philip Seccombe is the PCC for Warwickshire