Road safety experts are calling on the Government to introduce new driving licence rules after a horrific road traffic accident claimed the lives of two young men.
In October 2023, Joe Walsh, 19, and Toby Barraclough, 18, were killed when the car Walsh was driving hit a stone wall near Halifax after a night out with friends.
Senior coroner Martin Fleming and Joe’s mother Lisa Wright have called on the Department for Transport to restrict the number of passengers new drivers are able to carry.
Such rules are included in proposals for a new Graduated Driving Licence, which would require new drivers to ensure they adhere to certain rules in the months following their test.
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A growing number of road safety experts are calling for new driving licence rules
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Certain restrictions could include a restriction on the number of passengers they are able to carry, a zero tolerance for drink or drugs and even a nighttime curfew.
Coroner Martin Fleming’s Prevention of Future Deaths report calls on the Department for Transport to “consider the appropriateness of reviewing the current provisions since I am concerned that there will be further like tragic deaths”.
It adds: “In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.”
The Department for Transport is required to respond to the report within 56 days of the date of the report. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to do the same.
They are required to outline details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. They must also explain why no action is proposed.
Speaking previously to GB News, a DfT spokesperson said every death on the road is a “tragedy” and that their thoughts are with the families of those affected.
They continued: “Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are considering other measures to tackle this problem and protect young drivers.”
Lisa Wright told the BBC that the death of her son Joe Walsh “broke her heart”, adding that her “whole world fell apart”.
In reference to the potential introduction of a Graduated Driving Licence system, she added: “I think only good can come out of it. If it saves lives, it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced legislation to launch a system of Graduated Driving Licences in hopes that road safety will improve, particularly among young motorists.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (New Drivers) Bill has received support from a number of motoring organisations and road safety campaigners, including the RAC.
Such licencing systems are already in place around the world, including New Zealand, which saw a 23 per cent drop in car collision injuries for those aged between 15 and 19 after the measures were introduced.
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A Graduated Driving Licence could restrict the number of passengers new drivers are able to carry
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Department for Transport statistics show that one-fifth of accidents and fatalities on the road in 2022 involved a young driver.
Young male drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all drivers over the age of 25.
