All 5 Cumbrian MPs back calls for Graduated Drivers Licenses following mum's campaign

They, along with the PFCC, will write to the Secretary of State for Transport.

Author: Joseph GartlyPublished 21st Nov 2024

Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, along with all of Cumbria's MPs are writing to the SoS for Transport in support of a Graduated Drivers License (GDL) system.

It's on the back of a campaign led by Cumbrian mum Sharron Huddleston.

Sharron Huddleston's been campaigning for the law change after her daughter, Caitlin, was killed in a car crash in 2017 as a front seat passenger. The driver, Caitlin's friend Skye Mitchell, 18, also died. She had passed her test four months previously. Another teenager in the back seat survived the crash with serious injuries.

The Coroner at Caitlin's inquest ruled the crash was caused by inexperience behind the wheel and agreed with Ms Huddleston for the graduated driving scheme to be introduced to protect inexperienced drivers and prevent future deaths.

If accepted, the GDL would limit newly qualified drivers from carrying similar aged passengers in a vehicle for up to six months after passing their tests until they develop their driving skills independently.

Sharon said; "I am delighted to receive the full support of all 5 MP's in Cumbria for 'Caitlin's Campaign' for a Graduated Driving License system to be implemented nationwide to help reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

"This has come during a very important and poignant week, as it is Brake's Road Safety Week, which sadly my daughter Caitlin's birthday always falls during this week. Caitlin would/should be turning 26 this year on the 23rd November, but sadly she will be forever 18.

"Since I launched 'Caitlin's Campaign' I've been overwhelmed by the support I've received. I'm now working with over 183 bereaved family members as part of our 'Forget-me-not Families Uniting' group, across England and Wales, who are all calling for Graduated Driving Licensing to be implemented nationwide."

PFCC David Allen told GHR Cumbria: "The outcome I am looking for is that we bring in the GDL system. At the very very least there needs to be a consultation with the public so that we can consider this and if it's something that can work in the UK.

"Let us see if we can bring it in, let us see if we can save the lives of our young people in our county and nation-wide.

"This is not about restricting young people's lives or freedoms, quite the reverse. It makes sure they are safer, are given time to learn how to drive. It just protects them and gives them time to adjust from having passed their test to actually learning to drive and deal with the road conditions like we have in Cumbria.

"If we are looking at a 30 per cent reduction in fatal collisions like we saw in Victoria in Australia it is worth doing. It's certainly worth considering."