We see too many car crashes resulting in the tragic death or serious injury of young people. In 2022, 4,935 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers. We felt compelled to write following your article late last year (‘It’s not their fault’: calls for curbs on young drivers after fatal Welsh crash, 24 November). It was written after a series of fatal car crashes involving young drivers and their passengers, and the Department for Transport’s decision not to introduce supportive licensing changes for younger drivers, even though it says “every death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy”.
We have known for decades that young drivers are more likely to crash due to inexperience, when carrying similar-aged passengers, and are susceptible to peer influence. The consequences for families and their communities are devastating. These road crashes cost the economy £132m each year, add pressure on the NHS and emergency services, and inflate insurance premiums.
Other countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, have supported young drivers through the transition from being a learner by initially limiting their driving in the riskiest situations: carrying peer-aged passengers and driving at night. The evidence is compelling and has reduced deaths by between 20% and 40%, and people in Britain generally support licensing changes to support young drivers.
Despite talking about supporting young drivers for decades, MPs have failed to act on the best evidence. In an election year, we call on all political parties to commit to taking action on proven evidence-based measures to save young lives.
Dr Ian Greenwood Campaigner to stop road deaths
Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore Professor of psychology and cognitive neuroscience, University of Cambridge
Dr Elizabeth Box Research director, RAC Foundation
Prof Nicola Christie Professor of transport safety, University College London
Prof Kevin Fenton President, UK Faculty of Public Health
Dr Pamela J Hardy Chair, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Dr Shaun Helman Chief scientist, Transport Research Laboratory
Prof Samantha Jamson Professor of transport psychology, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
Prof Andrew Morris Professor of human factors in transport safety, Loughborough University
Prof Tim Nutbeam Professor of prehospital medicine, University of Plymouth
Prof Ian Walker Professor of psychology and head of school, Swansea University
