Thames Valley PCC to discuss graduated drivers licences with families of Marcham crash victims
MP's are debating graduated licenses for young drivers which would put restrictions on things like the number of passengers they can carry.
Last updated 28th Jan 2025
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner is planning to meet with the families of three teenage boys who were killed in a crash in Marcham, as they join growing calls for graduated driving licenses.
Campaigners are calling on the government to introduce graduated drivers licenses, which would put restrictions on new drivers such as curfews and the number of passengers they can carry.
Bereaved families from across the country are gathering outside parliament today, as MP’s debate on road safety for young drivers.
“These licences will save lives”
On 20 June, 2023, Daniel Hancock,18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, all from Abingdon, were killed in a fatal crash in Marcham, Oxfordshire.
Driver, Thomas Johnson, 19, of Stainswick Lane, Shrivenham, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court, and was jailed for nine years and four months in December 2024.
Speaking after sentencing, Elliot’s aunty Jessica Pagan-Davies, said “we will look to seek support for Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and MPs to encourage their support in this campaign.
“There is overwhelming evidence that these licences will save lives. Lives like Elliot, Ethan and Daniel at the hands of a young, inexperienced driver.”
“I want to speak to the families and hear about their thoughts”
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Barber, said: “We need to balance that against other people’s liberty to pass your driving test and do all the things that all the rest of us do but undoubtedly, we do see a significant risk around young drivers.
“I think we need to look at how we mitigate that and the practicalities of enforcement which are a concern to me.
“I’ll remain on the fence at the moment, but I want to speak to the families and hear about their thoughts having been at the most tragic end of this.”
Mr Barber added: “We all want to reduce deaths on the roads but of course we need to make sure that we do that in practical and deliverable ways.
“I’m really keen that we engage with the government and the Department for Transport to make sure that we have the best infrastructure and system in place to keep people safe.”