Proposals announced in Parliament earlier this week for a new Graduated Driving Licences Bill should incorporate fleet expertise and experience, according to FleetCheck.
Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, wants to see the introduction of graduated driving licences that would introduce restrictions for the first six months after a driver passes their test to increase road user safety.
Restrictions could include a lower maximum speed limit, smaller engines, a ban on carrying passengers aged under 25, a zero-alcohol limit, a curfew for night driving, and a limit to the number of passengers.
Peter Golding, managing director at fleet management software firm FleetCheck, has said the fleet sector should very much have a voice in the consultations that will take place as the Bill progresses.
“It could be that our industry as a whole knows more than anyone about gradually giving more responsibility to younger drivers over time as well as the type of training and support that works best for them. This is an important moment to share that expertise and experience.”
He said that because driving for work was covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act, fleets had been taking a responsible attitude towards younger drivers for decades.
“Fleet management best practice has for a long time included the need to look after the youngest employees who drive at work, whether that means as part of mainstream or grey fleet. Sometimes this means a blanket approach – for example, stipulating that no-one under 21 is allowed to drive on business – but there are also employers who undertake sophisticated induction programmes for younger drivers and monitor their progress over time.”
Golding also noted news reports indicating potential exemptions from the Bill for work purposes – and said this area should be of special interest for fleets.
“Obviously, the fleet sector should be especially aware of the proposals covering this area. Certainly, our initial response to this is that if anything, legislation covering young drivers at work should be tighter than the general population. If a younger person is driving for a living, they are likely to be spending longer behind the wheel and will represent a bigger overall risk.
“However, that is not to prejudge any of the contents of the Bill. We look forward to seeing the first concrete proposals as Kim takes this through Parliament and, alongside others in the fleet sector, will value the opportunity to add our voice to the consultation process.”
The proposal for a new Graduated Driving Licences Bill has cross-party support in the House of Commons and is also backed by organisations including the AA and RAC.
A group of 40 bereaved parents recently demanded immediate action on licence changes to tackle the unacceptable and disproportionately high number of young driver and passenger deaths on UK roads. Forget-me-not Families Uniting is now demanding the introduction of graduated driving licensing to reduce road death and serious injury.
In Britain, young drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 are involved in 24% of all collisions resulting in death or serious injury, even though this group accounts for just 7% of the total driving population.
A group of leading road safety experts recently signed an open letter, published in The Guardian, calling on national politicians to commit to taking action on proven, evidence-based measures to save young lives on the UK’s roads.
They highlight that graduated driving licensing is already used in several countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many US states, where it’s led to a reduction of between 20% and 40% in deaths and serious injuries in crashes involving young drivers.
