Millions could see new driving licence changes introduced as Labour launches vital safety campaign

The Protect Young Drivers campaign was unveiled at Westminster during Road Safety Week. It is the first time Labour has made young driver safety the focus of a dedicated national initiative.

More than 70 people attended the launch, including police and crime commissioners, fire service leaders, road safety experts, teachers, lawyers and families who have lost loved ones in road crashes.

The event was hosted by Labour MP Andy MacNae and attended by Road Safety Minister Lilian Greenwood. It was co-chaired by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, who leads on roads policing nationally, and road safety campaigner Rebecca Morris.

Support for the campaign comes from across Parliament, education groups and road safety charities, reflecting growing concern about the number of young people being killed or seriously injured on the roads.

The need for more support follows reports that one in five new drivers is involved in a collision within their first year of driving.

Drivers aged 17 to 24 make up almost a quarter of all car drivers killed or seriously injured, despite accounting for just seven per cent of licence holders.

Ms Allen said these crashes are often avoidable and must be tackled urgently.

"This campaign puts young and new drivers at the top of the national agenda, where they belong," she said.

"Every statistic represents a real person – a life cut short, a family left grieving, and a community changed forever."

She added that the strong turnout at the launch showed widespread agreement that more needs to be done to protect young people behind the wheel.

A key focus of the campaign was the introduction of Progressive Driving Licences, also known as Graduated Driving Licences.

This measure would place temporary restrictions on newly qualified drivers during the highest-risk period after passing their test.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has also written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging the Government to include these measures in its upcoming Road Safety Strategy.

His proposals include limits on late-night driving for new drivers, lower alcohol limits, and restrictions on the number of passengers of a similar age who can be carried in a car.

Research showed distractions and peer pressure significantly increase the risk of crashes among young drivers.

Mr Foster also called for longer minimum learning periods before drivers take their test, as well as the use of in-car technology that encourages safe and legal driving.

He said concerns about young people needing to drive for work, education or caring responsibilities could be dealt with through exemptions.

Similar systems are already used in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

In Canada, fatalities among 16 to 19-year-old drivers fell by 83 per cent after graduated licences were introduced.

Mr Foster warned that delaying action would cost lives.

"These measures are proven and proportionate," he said.

"Failing to act to prevent these deaths is unacceptable. Government must take this opportunity to protect young people."

He has urged MPs from the West Midlands and beyond to support the proposals, alongside charities, emergency services, academics and bereaved families.

The Prime Minister has also acknowledged the devastating impact of dangerous driving.

In Parliament this week, MPs raised the case of 18-year-old Andrew Rowlands, who was killed in 2020 while a passenger in a car driven by an underage, unlicensed and uninsured driver.

Keir Starmer said the Government is taking steps to protect young drivers, including tougher action against uninsured and unlicensed driving and efforts to remove unsafe vehicles from the roads.

He also offered to meet families affected by road tragedies to hear their views.

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