Grieving dad renews call for Graduated Driving Licences
It's after reported government plans to overhaul road safety
A dad whose son was killed in a crash in Aughton says the Government needs to prioritise Graduated Driving Licences.
They would put restrictions on new drivers for a short time after passing their driving test - such as curfews and speed limits.
It comes as motorists over the age of 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests.
The reported new proposals also include lowering the drink-drive limit to match the rules in Scotland, and giving penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt.
Max Greenhouse died at the age of 17 in December 2024 after the car he was in as a passenger came off the road and crashed into a farm building in Aughton.
His dad, Andrew, said:
"For us, as a family, it's really disappointing to read the news because they're talking about measures that are already in place.
"It doesn't feel like there's a focus on younger drivers"
"Eye tests but making it compulsory at certain ages, they're talking about tightening the rules around drink-driving and reducing limits, more about increasing fines for seatbelts and also non-insured people, but it doesn't feel like there's a focus on a really critical element - which is the younger drivers.
"The stats speak for themselves... in fatalities with young drivers, 24% are the drivers who are killed, 26% are passengers and 50% are innocent people, so 76% of those people who are impacted are not drivers. It's not just about the drivers it's about those other people."
Bereaved families met in London earlier this year to rally for the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences - and friends and family of Max walked from Maghull to Anfield last month on the day of Max's 18th birthday.
Graduated Driving Licences have been implemented in other countries, including Canada where it takes at least 20 months for a new driver to gain a full driving licence by earning in stages.
Andrew added:
"There has been a slight increase in the number of fatalities in 2024 (compared to) 2023, so you can argue is that working, is what they're doing actually working or is it it time to look a something new?
"But not just something new in Graduated Driving Licences, something new that's proven in other countries to work.
"Why wouldn't we consider it? Why wouldn't we take a really good look at it? That's the bit I don't understand."
The government says road safety is a top priority and has a 10 year strategy - but it's not considering introducing GDL's at this time.