Labour has faced renewed calls to introduce tougher driving licence restrictions for young motorists in a desperate bid to prevent road fatalities and collisions.
It comes after a coroner's report issued "concerns" about the current rules for young drivers who are more vulnerable on the road.
The coroner's report on the prevention of future deaths called for stricter rules for newly qualified young drivers following the death of a teenager who was killed in a vehicle collision with a tree, while three others were injured.
A 16-year-old rear-seat passenger suffered fatal head injuries as a result of the young motorist's collision on November 27, 2024, which prompted the inquiry.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The report detailed: "The driver of the car failed to appropriately negotiate a right-hand bend, by understeering, leading to the car colliding with a tree and rolling onto its roof.
"The driver had recently passed her test, and her inexperience likely contributed to the actions she took."
The passenger who died was not wearing a seatbelt, which may also have contributed to his death, the report stated.
Gareth Jones, assistant coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, said: "I am concerned that when 17-year-olds pass a driving test, they can drive on any road in the UK, including motorways, without any adult supervision.
The coroner report has urged the Government to introduce driving licence restrictions
| PA/GETTY"I believe this current state of affairs is likely to lead to further fatal collisions if it remains unaddressed."
Earlier this year, the Government introduced new safety measures for young drivers as part of the Road Safety Strategy, including introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers before they are able to pass their test.
The report called on the Government to consider introducing a minimum learning period of three or six months.
The measures are currently being consulted on and, if approved, will also introduce a minimum number of learning hours, a mandated learning syllabus, and how this learning can be conducted.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Young drivers will face a mandatory minimum learning period under measures included in the Road Safety Strategy
| PAExperts have suggested that the most effective change would be Graduated Driving Licences, which place restrictions on newly qualified drivers for the first six months of being on the road.
It includes a ban on nighttime driving, travelling with passengers, and mandatory black boxes in vehicles, although the Government has previously ruled out these measures.
However, earlier this year, Northern Ireland announced it would bring in new licence restrictions in October for drivers as part of its new road safety push.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said there would be no "blanket restrictions on new drivers", with the Government instead focusing on better pre-test preparation.
Under the proposed Graduated Driving Licence, it would impose several restrictions on newly qualified drivers
| PALilian Greenwood, Minister for Local Transport, added that the goal of learning to drive extends "far beyond" simply passing a test, "it is about equipping young and novice drivers with the skills, competence and responsibility to stay safe for life".
"Introducing a minimum learning period would provide a more structured and supportive pathway, allowing learners to gain essential experience before driving independently," the minister explained.