Hampshire road safety expert says graduated driving licences could decrease crashes
It comes as Northern Ireland introduce graduated driving licences
As graduated driving licences are introduced in Northern Ireland, a Hampshire road expert's telling us we'd see a reduction of 20 to 40% in crashes if they were introduced.
Graduated driving licences will apply to all new drivers but are particularly aimed at 17 to 23-year-olds.
They include restrictions on night-time driving, passenger numbers, and a six-month wait for learner drivers before taking a practical test.
Rob Heard MBE, a Hampshire road safety expert, said: "We know that young drivers can be one of our highest risks on the road.
"When someone's coming into their early parts of their life, this is when we really want to be making sure that these people, when they're just getting used to driving, just getting used to having other people in the car, and that independence, that they remain safe.
"It's been very successful in many other countries including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and now Northern Ireland.
"It's great to see."
The proposals include:
- A mandatory minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.
- A programme of training which must be completed and recorded in a logbook before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.
- An increase in the restriction period from the current 12 months to 24 months, requiring new drivers to display a plate on the vehicle for two years after receiving a full licence.
- A period of six months with night-time driving restrictions for new drivers under 24.
- Age-related night-time passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers, with exemption for immediate family members.
GDL permits 'L' drivers to drive on a motorway as long as they are accompanied by a driving instructor.
Once the learner passes their test, they will be issued with the new 'R' plate which also allows them to drive on a motorway, where they can drive up to the speed limit.