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Campaign to raise driving age to 18 is backed by MPs
Last updated at 12:29pm on 19.07.07
Road victim: Doctor Margaret Davidson
The driving age must be raised to 18 to cut road deaths, MPs will say on Thursday.
In a study of young drivers, they also recommend that a 'zero alcohol' drink-drive limit is introduced for the first year after a motorist passes their test.
In addition, there should a minimum 12-month period before a learner can take a test and drive unaccompanied.
Under its plans, teenagers could apply for a provisional licence at 17, but not hold a full one until 18.
More than 1,000 a year - a third of them drivers - are killed in crashes involving a driver aged 17 to 25.
The 'appalling' collision and death rate are proof that the system is 'failing', says today's report from the Transport Select Committee.
'Given the risks involved in driving, it seems reasonable that the minimum ages for holding a full driving licence should be 18 years,' it adds.
Gwyneth Dunwoody, chairman of the committee, said: 'The carnage of novice drivers must end. We cannot continue to waste young lives.'
The report also calls for more robust policing and tougher sentences against an 'underclass' of young drivers who flout the law.
It demands a crackdown on 'rogue' drivers who drive without a valid licence, insurance or tax, in cars which are unroadworthy and do not have an MoT certificate.
The tough and uncompromising report is a significant step forward for the Daily Mail's campaign to raise the driving age. It is backed by the insurance industry, road safety campaigners and motoring groups such as the RAC.
Pressure to restrict young drivers and bring in tougher sentences for those who cause fatal crashes
followed a plea from Elizabeth Davidson. Her 26-year-old daughter Margaret was killed last year by 19- year- old Nolan Haworth. Haworth hit her car at 70mph in a 50mph zone as he raced to court, while banned, to answer a charge of affray. In September he was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Mrs Davidson, who moved a judge to tears by describing her devastation after her junior doctor daughter was killed, has aligned herself with motoring groups calling for further limits on young drivers.
With the weight of informed opinion backing a change, the Department for Transport said today it would 'not rule out' raising the driving age. It will consult on driving test reforms in the autumn.
The Association of British Insurers-said evidence backing a change was 'incontrovertible'.
Although just one in eight licence holders is under 25, this age group is responsible for a disproportionately high number of accidents.
A third of drivers killed in road collisions are under 25. This rises to a
half of all drivers killed at night. Young male drivers showing off to girlfriends, who are subsequently killed in a smash, 'mean that young drivers are now the biggest killer of young women in this country', the report added.
It set out a series of 'graduated' restrictions to be relaxed over time along with a beefing up of the driving test. This includes:
• A zero alcohol limit for 12 months after candidates pass their test;
• For their first year on the road, newly-qualified drivers would not be allowed to carry passengers aged ten to 20 between the curfew hours of 11pm and 5am, when accidents are most likely;
• Learners must have a set number of hours with an Approved Driving Instructor;
• Lessons must include time in a dual-control vehicle and the test should be extended to include motorway driving;
• Hazard perception training to be mandatory;
Mrs Dunwoody added: 'Novice drivers are extremely vulnerable and pose considerable risks to their passengers and other road users.'
Reader views (13)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
This problem is being talked of as though young drivers are the only road abusers, when in fact i've seen oap's who cause more chaos on the roads than young drivers. As I am into the customisation scene I've seen young irresponsible drivers first hand. But saying that, it is a minority and not the majority. Raising the age in which people can pass their test will not make the roads safer it could have the opposite effect and some young individuals with no regards for the law may not wait the extra year and drive totally untrained. Why take the chance?
- Ben Pearce, Essex, United Kingdom
Raising the age restriction on driving is not going to change anything. There is no difference between a 17 year old and an 18 year old. It doesn't make any difference whether they are 18 or 25 there will still be irresponsible drivers. Increasing how long their lessons are and how many they take will help make them safer drivers. Many of the comments that I have looked at here all say the same thing. It's not the age that makes someone an unsafe driver it is how they are taught to drive and a lack of knowledge that they have on how to be a safe driver.
- Mark Mclean, York
I think this is utterly stupid. It's not the age at all. It's teaching 17 year olds how to be safe on the roads that would save a lot of lives.
- Jamie, Surrey
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