Keoghs calls for graduated driving licences to protect young motorists

Law firm Keoghs has called on the government to introduce a ‘graduated’ driving licence for young motorists to cut the number of young drivers dying on UK roads.

Young drivers aged between 17 and 24 account for only 7% of licence holders but make up 16% of road deaths, according to figures cited by Keoghs.

Under a graduated driving licence (GDL) regime, new drivers build their skills over time rather than head out onto the roads as soon as they have passed their test. The system is already used in New Zealand, Australia and Canada, and “introducing a GDL in the UK could significantly reduce the number of crashes, casualties and fatalities involving young drivers”.

Keoghs will urge the government to introduce new measures to protect young motorists at a parliamentary reception that it is hosting with Jenny Chapman, the Labour MP and young driver safety advocate.

The two hosts will use the event to bring together MPs and road safety campaigners to build more support for the GDL regime.

Samantha Ramen, director of market and public affairs at Keoghs, said: “Keoghs has been working closely with its clients and road safety partners to help develop workable, realistic solutions to the issue of young driver safety. We believe that a range of measures including a graduated driving licence regime is the best way to tackle this critical issue and stop young drivers disproportionately dying on the UK’s roads.”

Chapman commented: “I am proud to be working closely with families, charities, colleagues and organisations such as Keoghs on road safety. It is tragic that young drivers make up 16% of road deaths despite only being 7% of licence holders.”

“There is a clear need for change in the UK to develop solutions to ensure our young drivers have the skills and experience required to navigate the UK’s increasingly busy road network.”

Mark Dugdale