AN MP has met a government minister to discuss ways of making young drivers safer on the road.
The talk involved Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams and Mike Penning, Minister of State at the Department of Transport.
They were joined by Dr Sarah Jones of Cardiff University, who has been researching graduated driving licences – GDL.
These act as an intermediate phase between being a learner driver and acquiring a full driving licence.
They give newly qualified drivers the chance to learn new skills, such as driving on motorways, and gaining more driving experience under the safest conditions.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Williams said: “There are far too many occasions where young people are seriously or fatally injured in road traffic accidents.
“This is not solely a rural problem, but an urban one too and is common in the summer when drivers assume they are safer due to improved weather and longer daylight hours.
“We suggested at the meeting that the Department of Transport should look into ways to reduce the number of RTAs, particularly among young people.
“One of the suggestions was to introduce a GDL as a way of helping new young drivers to improve their skills and increase their driving experience while reducing exposure to the most dangerous conditions, such as driving at night or with similar aged passengers.”
Mr Williams says the minister was keen to see if a graduated system could be introduced by insurance companies offering reduced premiums to people who volunteer to become intermediate drivers after passing their driving test.
He will now raise the issue with the Association of British Insurers and some of the larger insurance companies.
“This is a positive step as not only would this improve the safety of the driver, their passengers and other road users, it would also reduce the premiums paid, often by parents, and the money paid out by insurance companies through a reduction in accidents,” said the MP.
“It is essential that young drivers have the necessary skills and experience to be safe on Britain’s roads and this is a step in the right direction,” he added.