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A new bill aimed at tightening rules for new drivers in the form of graduated driving licenses has been introduced in Parliament.
The bill, introduced by Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, would impose restrictions on young drivers during their first six months as holders of a licence.
The GDLs are backed by a number of security organizations and the bill has cross-party support in the House of Commons.
This is the latest in a series of attempts in recent years to turn the GDL into law (most notably in 2020), but so far none have succeeded despite many parliamentary debates.
The bill, introduced by Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, would impose restrictions on young drivers during their initial six months as license holders.
When was the last GDL attempt?
The last attempt to introduce GDL was in 2018, when then-Prime Minister Theresa May ordered the Department for Transport (DfT) to investigate the implementation of a graduated furlough scheme.
The GDL issue was raised by Darlington Labor MP Jenny Chapman during First Minister’s Questions.
A pilot scheme for Northern Ireland was announced in 2018, set to begin in 2019/2020. It hasn’t been introduced yet.
In October 2020, following an investigation by the Transport Commission, the graduate licensing system was abandoned.
Why are GDLs proposed?
GDLs have been supported over the years by many safety organizations including the RAC and AA.
A GDL allows new drivers to gradually gain experience and reduce the risks surrounding inexperienced drivers. The first 1,000 miles a young, inexperienced driver travels are considered crucial.
Primarily GDLs are proposed to reduce accidents and deaths caused by young drivers.
In 2022, accidents totaled 29,742 in the UK, a fifth of which involved a young driver.
New Zealand is among the countries where a similar scheme has been introduced. Since the legislation came into effect, there has been a 23 percent reduction in car crash injuries among 15- to 19-year-olds and a 12 percent reduction among 20- to 24-year-olds.
In 2022, accidents totaled 29,742 in the UK, a fifth of which involved a young driver.
What does a GDL entail?
A GDL allows new drivers to go through stages of learning and restricting experiences, from driving in winter weather to limits on the number of passengers and night driving, where supervision is required.
As new drivers progress through the stages, they gain more privileges until they are issued a full driver’s license after completing all requirements.
In 2013, the RAC outlined a GDL with similar conditions. There is currently a two-year probationary period in which new drivers will have their test revoked if they score six points.
Will this attempt to introduce GDL be different?
On Tuesday 7 May, Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the bill called Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) (New Drivers) Bill.
Leadbeater has been campaigning for road safety since shortly after his election in July 2021.
She began working at GDL after meeting Dr Ian Greenwood, who lost his 12-year-old daughter Alice when the car her mother was driving was hit by an 18-year-old driver.
Both the 18-year-old and his 16-year-old passenger also died.
While the bill is largely based on the same restrictive stage learning program as previous GDL attempts, this time it was introduced to Parliament under the ‘Ten Minute Rule’.
This rule allows a backbencher to make his case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes.
An opposition speech could then be given and after which, if the House decides that the bill should be introduced, its first reading will take place.
Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbeater has been campaigning for road safety since shortly after her election in July 2021.
Kim Leadbeater said in her speech: ‘The Bill is not about taking freedom or fun away from young people; It’s about trying to save their lives.
‘By giving them (young drivers) the opportunity to develop their experience and confidence during the first six months of driving after passing their test, we can try to ensure they have a happy life of driving and the future they deserve. Road deaths and serious injuries are not inevitable. Our roads can and must be safer.’
The licenses are also endorsed by the AA, RAC and Brake, and supported by the Association of British Insurers and UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd).
The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) has opposed the bill, telling Auto Express that the bill involves “more restrictions than positive innovation”, but the support is largely there.
In this case, the proposal has cross-party support in the House of Commons, with the Commons Transport Select Committee calling on the government to implement a GDL scheme in 2021.
The bill was read for the first time and will receive its second reading on May 17.
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