Road safety experts have launched fresh calls for new driving licence rules to be introduced to slash the number of young people injured or killed on roads.
A new coalition of experts, emergency service leaders and bereaved families has come together to support the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences (GDL).
These licences are designed to better protect young drivers who have recently passed their tests, to crack down on "avoidable" accidents across the country.
Leading voices spoke at Project EDWARD's "Safeguarding Young Drivers" webinar to call for a smarter and safer approach to licensing for younger people.
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|Experts are urging the Government to introduce a Graduated Driving Licence scheme
The event, which was hosted by Police and Crime Commissioners Joy Allen (Durham) and Philip Seccombe (Warwickshire), saw experts say that the "time to act is now".
Support has grown for Graduated Driving Licences to be introduced in recent years, with several high-profile accidents resulting in the tragic deaths of young people.
A GDL scheme could see measures introduced, including a ban on carrying same-age passengers for a certain period of time after passing their test.
Other measures could include a minimum learning period before taking their practical test, or a curfew preventing late-night driving.
PA | Experts have called on the Government to introduce new rules to protect young people
Chief Constable Jo Shiner KPM, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for roads policing, said: "I'm supportive of some form of graduated or progressive driving licence.
"While there may need to be exemptions - such as for travelling to work - I have real confidence in police officers to enforce the law in a legitimate and proportionate way."
Data from the Department for Transport shows that drivers aged between 17 and 24 are involved in almost a quarter of all fatal or serious injury collisions.
Shockingly, one in five young motorists are involved in a car accident within the first 12 months of passing their test and getting their licence.
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Graduated Driving Licences are already in operation in nations around the world, with speakers from Young Drivers of Canada sharing their experience with the scheme.
The GDL in Ontario has been hailed as a success, with fatal crashes among 16-year-olds dropping by 73 per cent in the first year of its operation.
Brian Hart, Chief Training Manager at Young Drivers of Canada, said: "You can't build safe driving habits in a few weeks. Too often, drivers are rushed through basic training and put straight onto fast-moving roads without being taught how to anticipate hazards or deal with real dangers.
"GDL introduces common-sense protections - curfews, zero alcohol tolerance, restrictions on motorway driving - all of which give young drivers the space and structure to build confidence safely. The evidence from Canada speaks for itself: it saves lives."
PA | Crystal Owen, whose son Harvey Owen, 17, was one of four teenagers killed in a crash last year, said law changes need to be introduced A petition calling for the introduction of a GDL has now surpassed 108,000 signatures, meaning it will be considered for a debate in Parliament, in addition to a response from the Department for Transport, which has already ruled out introducing such measures.
It was launched by Crystal Owen, following the tragic death of her son, Harvey, 17, and three of his friends in a car crash in Wales almost two years ago, who said new rules were "urgently needed".
Speaking to GB News, a Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
"Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are considering other measures to tackle this problem and protect young drivers."