brucemillar
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2010
- Messages
- 8,663
- Car
- C55 AMG Wagon - W124 300te 4matic Wagon - BMW 4.8is X5 E53 - SWB Pajero 3.5 V6 24v
New safety rules could ban just-qualified drivers from carrying passengers
March 18, 4:47 PM
Newly-qualified drivers could be stopped from carrying other young people and made to display "probationary plates" under a safety shake-up.
Transport spokesman Earl Attlee said young drivers were prone to "reckless driving" and easily distracted.
His comments came in the House of Lords after Tory Baroness Gardner of Parkes raised the case of Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter, who was jailed for 16 months after killing two adults and injuring two teenagers in central Manchester.
The 18-year-old had been travelling at up to twice the 30mph speed limit in his Mercedes and admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Lady Gardner said: "He had been noted as playing games with a VW Golf before the accident occurred. He is disqualified now for three years."
She said changes to improve the safety of newly-qualified drivers had been "resisted by too many governments" and it was "time something was done".
Lord Attlee said it was an "extreme case but sadly it was not unique".
He said young drivers were prone to "immaturity and reckless driving".
"They can also be easily distracted particularly when driving carrying others," he said. "We are seeking to improve the risk of these very sad accidents and we will continue on the work of the previous government in doing so."
Independent crossbench peer Baroness Masham of Ilton said the Government should consider "probationary plates on young drivers until they are about 21".
Lord Attlee said: "Probationary plates are one of the things we are considering, possibly linked with other measures such as not allowing young and new drivers to carry young passengers in order to deal with that sort of problem."
Independent crossbencher the Countess of Mar questioned how it was possible to legislate for the "exuberance of youth".
"Even if they have a green plate on the back of their car they are going to test the boundaries of law as hard as they can," she said.
"I'm not advocating that they should break the law but we must face facts. We have all been young once and done foolish things."
But Lord Attlee told her: "Experience in Sweden shows that a longer driving supervision can reduce the risk of accidents later on and that is one of the things we are looking at."
March 18, 4:47 PM
Newly-qualified drivers could be stopped from carrying other young people and made to display "probationary plates" under a safety shake-up.
Transport spokesman Earl Attlee said young drivers were prone to "reckless driving" and easily distracted.
His comments came in the House of Lords after Tory Baroness Gardner of Parkes raised the case of Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter, who was jailed for 16 months after killing two adults and injuring two teenagers in central Manchester.
The 18-year-old had been travelling at up to twice the 30mph speed limit in his Mercedes and admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Lady Gardner said: "He had been noted as playing games with a VW Golf before the accident occurred. He is disqualified now for three years."
She said changes to improve the safety of newly-qualified drivers had been "resisted by too many governments" and it was "time something was done".
Lord Attlee said it was an "extreme case but sadly it was not unique".
He said young drivers were prone to "immaturity and reckless driving".
"They can also be easily distracted particularly when driving carrying others," he said. "We are seeking to improve the risk of these very sad accidents and we will continue on the work of the previous government in doing so."
Independent crossbench peer Baroness Masham of Ilton said the Government should consider "probationary plates on young drivers until they are about 21".
Lord Attlee said: "Probationary plates are one of the things we are considering, possibly linked with other measures such as not allowing young and new drivers to carry young passengers in order to deal with that sort of problem."
Independent crossbencher the Countess of Mar questioned how it was possible to legislate for the "exuberance of youth".
"Even if they have a green plate on the back of their car they are going to test the boundaries of law as hard as they can," she said.
"I'm not advocating that they should break the law but we must face facts. We have all been young once and done foolish things."
But Lord Attlee told her: "Experience in Sweden shows that a longer driving supervision can reduce the risk of accidents later on and that is one of the things we are looking at."
