Millions to be slapped with driving licence restrictions next year under new proposals: 'Urgent solution!'

The Commissioner has written directly to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging ministers to introduce so-called "Progressive Driving Licences" for newly qualified motorists.

Under the scheme, young and inexperienced drivers would face temporary restrictions in the months before and after passing their practical driving test, to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads.

Mr Foster has backed a national campaign calling for the measures to be rolled out across the country. He argued that the proposals are needed urgently to tackle the high number of young people killed or seriously hurt in road collisions.

The Government is expected to publish its Road Safety Strategy in the coming months, with campaigners hoping these measures will be included.

If adopted, the new system would place limits on when and how newly qualified drivers can use their cars. This could include curfews stopping them from driving late at night, a time when accidents involving young drivers are most common.

There would also be lower drink-drive limits for those who have recently passed their test, along with restrictions on how many passengers of a similar age they can carry.

This would be particularly important after reports found that roughly 37 per cent of young drivers would get behind the wheel while over the legal limit. That compares with nine per cent of older drivers and 21 per cent of people across the UK.

Other proposals include a mandatory minimum learning period before drivers are allowed to take their test, as well as the compulsory use of in-car technology designed to encourage safer driving through rewards and incentives.

Mr Foster has insisted the scheme would not unfairly penalise young people who rely on driving for work, education or caring responsibilities. He said exemptions could be built into the system where there is a genuine need.

Supporters of the campaign point to stark figures showing the risks faced by inexperienced motorists. Drivers aged between 17 and 24 make up just seven per cent of licence holders, but account for almost a quarter of car drivers killed or seriously injured on UK roads.

Young drivers were also found to be involved in crashes that led to around 20 per cent of all road casualties nationwide.

Campaigners explained how similar schemes introduced overseas have already proved their worth. In Canada, deaths among drivers aged 16 to 19 fell by 83 per cent after graduated licensing was brought in. Comparable systems operate in Australia, New Zealand and parts of the United States.

Momentum behind the proposals increased last month with the launch of the Protect Young Drivers campaign at Westminster.

The event attracted more than 70 figures from across the road safety sector and had to be moved to a larger venue due to high demand.

Road Safety Minister Lilian Greenwood attended, alongside MPs, Police and Crime Commissioners, emergency service leaders and national bodies including the National Police Chiefs' Council and National Highways. Charities, insurers, academics and families who have lost loved ones in young driver crashes were also present.

Andy MacNae MP, who hosted the event, said it marked "a new phase in a movement" to better protect young drivers.

Mr Foster has been clear that he believes the Government must act quickly. "Progressive Driving Licences are a proven, proportionate and urgently needed solution. Every day we delay, young lives are being put at risk," he said.

"Continued inaction to prevent these collisions and casualties is unacceptable. The Government must seize this opportunity, and include them in its Road Safety Strategy."

The Commissioner, who has focused heavily on road safety since being elected in 2021, warned that failing to act would be "a gross dereliction of the first duty of government to keep its people safe".