West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is urging the UK Government to introduce stricter safety measures for newly-qualified drivers, aimed at reducing road fatalities and serious injuries. Among his proposals are a late-night driving curfew and lower legal alcohol limits for new drivers, designed to protect inexperienced motorists during their critical early months on the road.
This call to action follows a tragic fatal crash on Birmingham’s Soho Road earlier this week. Mr Foster believes that implementing these safeguards—as part of a broader package including mandatory learning periods and the use of in-car technology—would significantly improve driver behavior and save lives.
Backing a national campaign for Progressive Driving Licences, Mr Foster advocates for temporary restrictions tailored to new drivers during the months immediately before and after obtaining their licenses. He has written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging the incorporation of these measures in the upcoming Road Safety Strategy.
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Statistics reveal a disproportionate risk among young drivers: those aged 17–24 make up only seven percent of licence holders but account for nearly 25 percent of those killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Furthermore, this age group is involved in 20 percent of all road casualties.
Progressive Driving Licences are already successfully implemented in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Evidence from Canada shows these schemes reduce fatal and serious crashes dramatically—by as much as 83 percent among 16–19-year-olds.
“Road safety has been a priority since my election in May 2021,” Mr Foster stated. “Progressive Driving Licences are a proven, proportionate, and urgently needed response. Each day that passes without action puts young lives in danger. The government must act now and include these measures in the Road Safety Strategy.”
Mr Foster also addressed concerns regarding the potential impact of restrictions on young people’s access to education, employment, or caring duties, emphasizing that exemptions can mitigate such issues fully.
He warns that failure to act would represent a serious neglect of the government’s fundamental responsibility to protect citizens on the roads.