Transport Select Committee puts brakes on GDL
Campaigners and experts left frustrated by recommendations
Last updated 5th Mar 2021
The long-awaited report into Road Safety for young and novice drivers has been released by the Transport Select Committee. It was set up so that evidence could be collected and submitted to ministers on the reasons why young and novice drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in a road traffic crash and what the Government can do to reduce those risks.
One of the proposals being examined was a Graduated Driving License system. Family members who have lost loved ones, as well as transport experts gave evidence to the panel on the life-saving benefits of GDL, which is being used in every state in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite this, the Commitee hasn't included it in its list of recommendations, must to the dissappointment of Sharron Huddleston, who has launched Caitlin's Campaign in memory of her 18-year-old daughter, killed in a crash caused by inexperience behind the wheel.
"I am so frustrated", she said. "It's like all the scientific evidence that GDL saves lives is falling on deaf ears. Adding temporary restrictions on young drivers, once they pass their test, just means they can gain that bit more experience before carrying passengers.
"Had GDL been implemented in 2014 when the green paper was first published, Caitlin would still be here with me. She'd be 22."
"I am going to keep campaigning for this, for Caitlin. We need to stop needless young lives being lost on our roads."
One of the experts to give evidence to the panel was Dr Neale Kinnear, ead of Transport Safety with TRL.
WATCH: Our Chief Reporter and Campaigner Michelle Livesey gets Neale's reaction and expert opinion on why GDL could be a life-saving step forward for the British driving licensing system:
You can see a copy of the report here.
The Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, said:
"The tally of young people who lose their lives on our roads is a sobering reason to review the Department for Transport’s work in this area.
"Eighty-eight young car drivers died in 2019; a further 287 people including passengers and pedestrians, were killed in crashes which involved young drivers.
"Fully equipping learner drivers for driving in different situations will be essential to the Department for Transport’s success in this area.
"The Department is exploring different ways to extend the learning experience and we acknowledge the work in progress. We expect to be kept informed.
"We have not recommended Graduated Drivers Licensing be introduced. The Committee balanced the current work of the Department with the lack of evidence demonstrating the impact of GDL on the economic and social prospects of young people at this time, particularly in rural areas.
"The committee also took into account the need for young people to be given the freedom to drive without further restrictions being imposed upon them.
"However, we are asking the Department to resume its research in this area. With GDL likely to be piloted in Northern Ireland, we encourage work with the NI Executive on sharing the learning which emerges.
"Various factors are at play in this debate. Our road vehicles are safer; technology is helping through traffic management tools and telematics devices and the driving test has been improved.
"Fewer young people are choosing to learn how to drive but we must strive to ensure that we keep young and novice drivers safe on our roads."