Restrictions on newly-qualified drivers 'could save 200 lives a year'

Date: 21/9/2010

Constraints on the driving practices of newly-qualified motorists would significantly reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the roads, researchers have claimed.

A new study undertaken by academics at Cardiff University concluded a graduated driver licensing system - which would ban youngsters from night-time motoring, consuming any alcohol and carrying passengers of a similar age - would save over 200 lives a year.

The restrictions would be imposed on people aged between 17 and 24 for up to two years after they had passed their tests.

Similar initiatives already exist in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and parts of the US.

Dr Sarah Jones, who led the research, said: "Graduated driver licensing works in other countries and there's no good reason why it wouldn't work here."

Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive of road safety charity Brake, recently agreed in a piece for the Guardian that the scheme would reduce the number of road incidents involving young drivers.

Posted by Mary Treen