PCC renews call for Graduated Driving Licences as Northern Ireland puts life-saving scheme in place
Leading road safety campaigner and Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, has renewed her call for Graduated Driving Licences (GDL) to be introduced nationally, as Northern Ireland becomes the first part of the UK to implement the scheme.
The new framework, introduced on 1 October, is designed to tackle the disproportionate number of fatal and serious collisions involving young and newly qualified drivers. It introduces a more structured approach to driver training and testing, alongside additional safeguards during the first two years after passing a driving test.
Under the new arrangements in Northern Ireland, learner drivers and motorcycle riders must complete a minimum six-month learning period, follow a structured training programme and logbook, and pass a theory test before progressing to their practical test. The training aims to help learners understand how attitudes, behaviour, personality and emotions can affect decision-making behind the wheel.
New drivers will also enter a two-year restricted period and be required to display R plates. For the first six months after passing their test, drivers under 24 will face restrictions on carrying passengers aged 14 to 20 between 11pm and 6am, with exemptions for immediate family members and when accompanied by an experienced driver.
As Joint APCC Lead for Roads Policing, Joy Allen has been at the forefront of a national campaign to improve the safety of young drivers. Alongside Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe, she co-chairs the Protect Young Drivers Steering Group, which brings together road safety organisations, experts, campaigners and bereaved families to press for reform.
Joy Allen said: “The evidence is clear. Graduated Driver Licensing saves lives.
“For too long, the debate has focused on perceived restrictions rather than the devastating consequences of serious collisions involving young drivers. Countries that have adopted Graduated Driver Licensing have seen reductions of between 20 and 40 per cent in crashes involving young motorists. When the evidence is this compelling, the case for action becomes impossible to ignore.
“Road safety remains one of the issues people raise with me most often. In survey after survey, residents tell me they want safer roads and stronger action to prevent deaths and serious injuries.
“Graduated Driver Licensing is one of the most effective measures available to protect young drivers, reduce risk and prevent families suffering avoidable tragedies.
“As Police and Crime Commissioner and Joint APCC Lead for Roads Policing, I will continue to press the Government to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing. I have requested discussions with the Roads Minister and will continue working with partners, campaigners and bereaved families to make the case for change.”
The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) says that the new approach will undoubtedly protect people on our roads and will save lives. Forty seven people have already died on our roads this year and on average at least one person dies on our roads every week. We welcome GDL as part of the solution.
Graduated Driver Licensing schemes are already in operation in many countries including the Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Finland and across much of the United States, where they have been credited with significant reductions in deaths and serious injuries involving young drivers.
