But government says it is "not considering" graduated driver licensing
The road safety minister has said she is “not considering” introducing graduated licensing to help improve road safety but has hinted that newly qualified young drivers could face a zero alcohol limit.
Speaking in a debate at Westminster Lillian Greenwood MP said the government is analysing the effectiveness of such a policy in other countries.
During the debate on young driver safety the minister also said the Department for Transport was looking at the experience of those countries where a minimum learning period before a driving test was in place.
The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. Nowhere else in Europe has a limit above 50mg/100ml, and the Scottish Government reduced its limit to that level in 2014.
Ms Greenwood said:
“We can… look to international experience.
“For example, a number of countries have a lower or zero alcohol limit for young drivers, or a minimum learning period.”
Department for Transport (DfT) figures show 290 people were killed and 4,669 were seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2023 involving at least one driver aged 17-24.
Several European countries have an alcohol level of zero or near-zero for new drivers, such as France, Germany, Ireland and Portugal.
Ms Greenwood said her department is also considering analysis on the effectiveness of other potential measures to improve safety for young and new drivers, including keeping a log book, extra hazard perception training, classroom-based education, mentoring and telematics, which uses technology to track driver behaviour.
However, she ruled out introducing graduated driving licensing (GDL) which can include measures such as limiting the number of young passengers newly-qualified drivers can carry for a short period after successfully taking their test.
GDL is used in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden.
Ms Greenwood said:
“While we are not considering graduated driving licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic collisions on our roads, and that is why we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers.
“This Government wants to ensure young people’s access to employment, education and other opportunities, while also keeping them safe on the roads.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“Quite rightly the minister has one eye on what is happening overseas to see what might usefully be incorporated into her new road safety strategy later this year.
“If the evidence stacks up for a reduction of the drink-drive limit for newly qualified drivers then it should be considered.
“We see a strong case for a minimum learning period, preferably as part of a package that ensures young drivers are given adequate opportunity to practice before taking the practical test and recognises the need for them to continue gaining experience safely thereafter – both need to feature in the Government’s thinking.”
The debate had been secured by the MP for Shrewsbury Julia Buckley. Her constituent Crystal Owen has become an advocate of GDL following the deaths of her son Harvey, 17, and three of his young friends in a car crash in North Wales in November 2023.
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit www.racfoundation.org