Road safety campaigners have called for urgent law changes to be introduced following the tragic death of three teenagers who were killed by a dangerous driver.
Thomas Johnson, 19, of Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, was jailed for nine years and four months after causing the deaths of three young men whilst driving under the influence of nitrous oxide.
The incident occurred near the village of Marcham, in June 2023, when Johnson was driving his BMW 3 Series at speeds approaching 100mph.
Johnson had been inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, during the evening before the crash. At the time, possession of the substance was not a criminal offence, though it has since been classified as a class C drug.
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Experts have backed the proposed measures to crack down on dangerous drivers
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Evidence showed Johnson had been using nitrous oxide whilst at the wheel of his car before losing control and colliding with a lamppost, stone wall and tree just after midnight on June 20.
Edmund King, president of the AA, has called for the introduction of graduated driving licences that would prevent new motorists from carrying passengers for six months after passing their test.
He told The Time: “The Thomas Johnson case had all the hallmarks that prove why it is a no brainer.
“It was at night. It was a rural road. There were passengers in the car. Most of them were unbelted. They were distracted.”
King believes that even though Johnson had been driving for over six months, a probation period of driving alone would have influenced his behaviour differently.
The road safety expert added: “We would still argue that if he had had six months of driving on his own, getting more used to the roads, more used to situations that drivers encounter, that would still have a positive effect on his driving.”
He added that six months is sufficient time for the “novelty of being behind the wheel” to diminish and for drivers to better understand road dangers.
Graduated driving licences are already proving successful in multiple countries around the world, including the United States and New Zealand.
New drivers in the Republic of Ireland must display “N” plates during a two-year probation period and face stricter drink-drive limits than experienced motorists.
Australian authorities have implemented restrictions on night-time driving for new licence holders, along with limits on passenger numbers.
The three victims of the crash were Elliot Pullen, aged 17, and Ethan Goddard and Daniel Hancock, both aged 18. All of the victims sustained catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.
Following the collision, investigators found nitrous oxide canisters inside the car, with mobile phone evidence showing Johnson had been using the substance whilst driving.
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Damage to Thomas Johnson’s vehicle after the collision
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In addition to his prison sentence, Johnson was disqualified from driving for 11 years and 11 weeks.
The court heard that just before the fatal collision, Johnson had overtaken another vehicle at high speed.
Writing on social media, former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis said: “This is a good idea and the Government should implement it. It will save lives and cost next to nothing.”
