21 hours Ago By Jack Mortimer
The AA has urged the Government to introduce heavier restrictions on young motorists who have recently passed their driving test in a bid to make the roads safer . The popular motoring organisation called for drivers aged under 21 to be banned from carrying similarly aged passengers for the first six months they spend behind the wheel. Edmund King, President of The AA, highlighted that the measures would help to reduce the number of road accidents caused by peer pressure.
He explained: "The introduction of passenger restrictions would help mitigate the increased risk young drivers have to manage when they have peer-aged passengers travelling with them. "A six-month restriction is a small price to pay for saving young lives. There is a great swell of support for the introduction of GDL so this Government has a real opportunity to make it happen and save lives.
" According to the Department for Transport (DfT), 290 people were killed and around 4,669 were seriously injured due to crashes on the roads during 2023. By introducing heavier restrictions on motorists who recently passed their driving test, often referred to as graduated driving licences (GDLs), The AA suggested that at least 58 lives could be saved each year. Seven in 10 members of the organisation support the move, alongside other unique laws for young drivers, such as a mandatory 'G' plate to indicate a graduated motorist and licences being withdrawn for those caught not wearing their seatbelt.
In addition to helping save lives, Jakob Pfaudler, Chief Executive of The AA, also highlighted that the measures would likely see insurance prices fall. He added: "Not only is this a tragic waste of life, but it contributes to the burden of high insurance premiums for young drivers. "These premiums should fall when there is evidence of a reduction of young drivers and passengers killed and seriously injured.
" Whilst the measures proposed by The AA would be a radical change for UK motorists, a number of other countries already have GDLs. In Germany , motorists are prohibited from driving under the influence of any alcohol for the first two years that they hold their licence and may also receive heavier penalties for general driving fines. Parts of Australia also have GDLs, with inexperienced motorists prohibited from towing a trailer or caravan and must not carry any passengers between the ages of 16 and 22 that are not immediate family members.
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