Young driver fatalities in the UK reach alarming levels

The alarming statistics surrounding young driver fatalities has been brought to light by the West’s MPs.

In a debate at Westminster Hall, Members of Parliament voiced urgent concerns over the dangers young drivers face on UK roads.

Led by Julia Buckley, Labour MP for Shrewsbury, the discussion highlighted the pressing need for legislative action to mitigate road traffic collisions.

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Ms Buckley opened the session with a stark warning: “Road traffic collisions are the biggest killer of young people aged 15 to 29 worldwide. In 2023, 290 young people were killed in the UK as a result of a road collision, and nearly one-quarter of all road collisions involved young people.

“Although drivers under 24 make up only 6% of total licence holders, they represent 18% of all car drivers killed and seriously injured. That is because one in five newly qualified drivers will have an accident in their first year. For any other leading cause of death of our young people, we would declare a public health emergency and prioritise resources to tackle the crisis.”

Ms Buckley also underscored the developmental risks associated with young drivers, citing the road safety campaign Brake, which attributes accidents to overconfidence, poor hazard assessment, and underdeveloped cognitive skills.

Anna Sabine, Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, spoke from personal experience: “I have two teenage children, one of whom is now 18, and he is about to learn to drive. It is really helpful if young people in my constituency can drive themselves around, because—especially in villages such as the one he lives in—they are often at the mercy of unreliable and infrequent bus services. As his mum, I am of course encouraging him to learn: he will be able to be more independent, and it is an important life skill. But I have some really serious concerns about his safety when he starts to drive.”

Ms Sabine raised the issue of dangerous rural roads, highlighting a 2023 accident where two young sisters were killed by a driver under the influence of drugs. She highlighted the lack of government funding for essential infrastructure improvements, stating: “We cannot put in the preventive measures if we cannot fund them.”

She further advocated for graduated driving licences, which would impose restrictions on young drivers, such as limiting the number of passengers or driving hours: “I totally understand why young people might resist or resent the idea of graduated driving licences. I can also see why, in rural areas such as mine... stringent restrictions on driving—such as preventing young people from driving at night—might make it hard for them to get to their jobs or educational settings if buses are not frequent enough. But I think the idea warrants a conversation, because young people have the most to lose if we cannot get this right.”

Cameron Thomas, Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, shared a tragic local story: “Just three weeks after the 2024 general election, four young men were killed in Ullenwood, just outside my constituency, when their car collided with a tree. They were three 20-year-olds and one 18-year-old. ‘This is Andrei, my child full of dreams,’ his mother said in a tribute to her son.”

Mr Thomas also paid tribute to local road accident victims, including former councillor Philip Beer, and expressed deep appreciation for emergency responders:

He said: “I hope everyone in this room will spare a thought for our police officers, paramedics and firefighters who arrive at the scenes of road traffic collisions.”

Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, stressed that in rural constituencies like hers, driving is often the only means of transportation for young people. She supported increased investment in road safety, better enforcement of traffic laws, and improved vehicle safety technology.

She said: “The Government must support measures to reduce the number of tragedies caused by road traffic accidents, including investment in road safety, infrastructure and maintenance, better enforcement on speeding and law breaking, education programmes, and better safety technology in the modern industry.”

Lillian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, acknowledged the severity of the issue and praised the advocacy of campaign groups like Forget-me-not Families Uniting.

She said: “I am committed to continuing to engage as we develop our policies in this area. It is literally every parent’s worst nightmare. The deaths of those four young men have had a devastating impact on their families and community, as have the deaths of other young people we have spoken about today.”

Ms Greenwood confirmed that while the Government is not currently considering graduated driving licences, they are exploring other options to address young driver safety. She cited the Driver2020 initiative, which studies non-legislative safety interventions such as hazard perception training, classroom education, and telematics monitoring.

“The number of young drivers killed on our roads has fallen by 80% since 1990, but that cannot be a reason for complacency. The number of deaths in 2023 was 90, but that is 90 too many.”

She also emphasised the importance of local action, particularly speed reduction measures, citing Lincolnshire’s success in reducing serious collisions by 75% through targeted speed limits.

“We need all partners working together—policymakers, road engineers and designers, vehicle manufacturers, the police and road users.”

MPs remained resolute in their commitment to improving road safety for young drivers. Ms Greenwood reassured campaigners and victims’ families that their concerns were being heard, and that road safety remains a priority within government policy.

“I want to assure everyone listening, but especially those who have been affected by road deaths and injuries, that this Government treats road safety with utmost seriousness. We are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.”