New UK law will see drivers given 'curfew' and 'banned' from road after dark

James Rodger
·2-min read

Some drivers in England will be hit by a curfew as part of a new 'graduated' driving licence. The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (New Drivers) Bill, which already has backing from motoring groups and experts, suggests banning motorists from driving at night within the first six months of them having gained a licence.

The licences are backed by many road safety and motoring organisations including the AA, the RAC and Brake. Their introduction also has the support of the Association of British Insurers, too, as the Bill aims at curbing the number of young motorist deaths.

Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbetter took up the issue of graduated driving licences after meeting Dr Ian Greenwood at Westminster. Dr Greenwood, from Halifax, lost his 12-year-old daughter, Alice, when the car her mother was driving was hit by another car in 2008. The 18-year-old driver of the other car, and his 16-year-old passenger, were also killed in the accident.

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Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, Dr Greenwood described his daughter as "forever 12", stressing that the consequences of drivers "misbehaving on our roads" can be "devastating". Dr Greenwood has praised the "amazing" work being done by Ms Leadbeater to highlight the issue, adding "politicians haven't really been interested in road death - it's not something people want to talk about".

Ross Moorlock, CEO of Brake, said: "We are thankful to Kim Leadbeater MP for presenting this Ten Minute Rule Bill which, if passed, could save the lives of all types of road users but especially those of young and new drivers. And a huge thank you must go to Dr Ian Greenwood, Sharron Huddleston and all those who form the Forget-me-not Families Uniting Group for their tireless campaigning to make our roads safer.

"Brake has been campaigning for years alongside Ian, Sharron and the other families for a Graduated Driving Licence to be brought in, and hearing it read out today in the Commons was a positive step forward."

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