1 week Ago By Luke Chillingsworth
New driving licence restrictions should also apply to certain older motorists, according to a leading motoring expert. It comes after experts including the AA led calls for the introduction of a graduated driving licence (GDL) scheme for newly qualified young motorists, However, Peter Golding, FleetCheck’s managing director, has queried whether someone new to the roads should enjoy more luxuries simply down to their age at the time. He warned that some ideas such as restrictions to use heavier machinery should still apply to all inexperienced road users and not just the young.
His concern is down to a lot of the GDL proposals so far have centred around restrictions on younger motorists in a bid to save teenagers from tragedies on the road. Peter explained: “That’s understandable because road safety statistics show that this is very much an at-risk group. “However, our argument is that is all new drivers are inexperienced and represent a risk.
“If someone doesn’t pass their test until 30, they might not have the same statistical likelihood of being involved in an accident as a 17-year-old, but it would still be arguably irresponsible for them to be immediately allowed to drive a 3.5-tonne van or a powerful car.” However, Peter admitted some GDL suggestions outlined in recent weeks should not be expanded to older road users.
The AA has previously called for new drivers under 21 to be slapped with six penalty points if they are not wearing a seatbelt behind the wheel. Meanwhile, there have been calls for motorists in this age range to be banned from taking friends as passengers until six months after passing their test. Peter stresses this rule could be waived for slightly older individuals who are unlikely to want to show off and put themselves in danger.
He said: “There’s a general acceptance that some people of that age will drive in an irresponsible manner to try and impress their friends, with attendant risks. “Really, the same arguments are unlikely to apply to older people. In fact, carrying someone of a similar age who is an experienced driver in this scenario is probably a benefit.
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