Campaign to change driving laws gains backing from Dalston bus company
Bus firm supports call for graduated driver's licenses in memory of Caitlin Huddleston
The campaign to introduce Graduated Driver's Licenses (GDLs) in the UK is gaining momentum, as a bus company from Dalston throws its support behind the initiative.
Irving's of Dalston is backing Caitlin Huddleston's campaign by promoting her story and the call for GDLs in the back windows of their buses.
Caitlin, 18, from Cumbria, died in a car crash on the A595 near Millom in July 2017.
She was a passenger in her friend's car driven by 18-year-old Skye Mitchell, who lost control in wet conditions.
Both Caitlin and Skye were killed, while another passenger and the driver of an oncoming van sustained serious injuries.
Caitlin's mother, Sharon, has since been advocating for GDLs.
The proposed system would prevent newly-qualified drivers from carrying passengers of the same age group during their initial six months of driving.
This would allow new drivers to develop their skills independently.
Craig Irving, Director of Irving's of Dalston and a former traffic cop, said: "(As a police officer) You see a number of horrific incidents, and the tragedy it causes to families, and I think Sharon is doing an amazing job of this campaign and I just wanted to support her.
"The devastation it causes to families, I think it's something that needs to happen, it's in law in places like Australia, so why not in the UK?
"I've seen it first hand for a number of years. You see it at inquests, the friends and family are distraught. It's just horrible.
"I've now had a number of passengers on the bus, everyone seems very supportive and they are asking lots of questions about it. It's getting people to become aware of it.
"I think it's encouraging. The fact that people are engaging is a positive. Obviously there's people travelling behind the vehicle that are seeing it as well."
Other countries have seen successful outcomes, with GDLs introduced in Victoria, Australia, in 2007 leading to a 30% reduction in fatalities by 2013.
New Zealand also reported a decrease in car crash injuries following their adoption of similar measures.
A 2022 study by TRL for the RAC Foundation and Rees Jeffreys Road Fund noted international improvements in reducing collisions and injuries by 20-40% among new drivers after implementing GDLs.