New Restrictions for Young Drivers?

There have been calls for new measures to be taken to reduce car accidents and car crashes among young drivers after an A-level student from Lincolnshire was tragically killed four days before her 18th birthday.

Emily Challen was in the passenger seat of her friend’s car, when the young driver drove into a stationary 44-tonne lorry on a slip road entering the A1 at Long Bennington.
Aimee Culpin reportedly failed to spot the truck parked in front of her, resulting in an “immense” impact.

Conservative MP Stephen Phillips said that graduated licences would improve safety and has claimed that introducing measures including restriction of the number of passengers young people can carry in their vehicles, and the hours at which they can drive, could save lives.

He said: “This would have a radical impact on road safety. It's obviously difficult but we are talking about saving lives, and it's something I think the government needs to look at.”

Meanwhile, an AA spokeswoman, said the breakdown company holds a different view.

Lorna Lee, of the AA, said: “Some young people may need to work in industries where they need to be able drive late at night so imposing a curfew on them remove the need for them to learn in the first place.”

Ms Culpin admitted causing death by careless driving as a result of the incident on the morning of 15 February 2013.

She was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work. She was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £150 costs.
Reflecting on the incident, a Department for Transport spokesman, added: “It is vital that the government strikes the right balance so that young drivers remain safe on our roads but at the same time their freedom is not restricted.

"Restrictions could limit employment opportunities for young people, especially those in rural areas. We feel that it is important that all views are considered and the right decision is made.”

What all parties agree on, however, is that this kind of story is not a one-off, and that young driver accident figures are now worryingly high in the UK.

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