Mark tables an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to consider new laws to make young drivers safer
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has co-sponsored a motion put to the House of Commons that calls on the Government to consider actions which could make young drivers safer. The motion asks the Government to consider implementing a scheme called Graduated Driver Licensing, which looks to place a curfew on what time new drivers can be on the road, and restrictions on how many passengers a new young driver would be allowed to have in their car.
On sponsoring the motion, Mark said:
“I am very happy to be co-sponsoring this motion put before my fellow MPs. As the motion says, young drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are disproportionately involved in road accidents. More than 1 in 5 people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads involves a young driver, yet only 9% of driving licence holders are 25 years of age or under.
Mark continued:
“This shows that young drivers are disproportionately at risk to themselves and others when they get in a car in certain situations. I believe a change in the law could dramatically reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured. And it is not just safety that is affected. Because of these statistics, young people in Rugby have to pay very high insurance premiums. If we can get the number of young people involved in crashes down, it will reduce the cost of motor insurance to younger drivers”.
Mark concluded:
“I have been campaigning on this issue for some time now, and so I am very encouraged by the remarks made last weekend by the Secretary of State where he said he is open to looking at ways to reduce the number of accidents involving young people. Graduated Driver Licensing achieves just this and I hope the motion I have put to Parliament can keep our campaign going and bring about much needed change in the near future”