by Kevin Kennedy

The AA’s lobby of the government to create a new type of drivers licence aimed at young people under the age of 21 has brought back memories from one young person who was involved in a teen car crash.

When asked whether the graduate drivers licence would give Kian Ford the confidence to get back in the car with friends, he said: “It’s not that I’m scared of getting in the car, it is my levels of stress and anxiety go through the roof when I am in the car with younger friends and drivers”.

Kian Ford, was a passenger of a teen driver and told uwsnews: “It had quite a big impact and I’m a nervous wreck in most cars I’m in, even if it is an experienced driver, but even more so when it is one of my younger pals.

“I get really edgy in the car especially when in the front and has me scared to do my own lessons.”

The proposed permit would mean that newly qualified drivers would not be allowed to travel with passengers of a similar age in a bid to reduce the amount of accidents involving young people.

Alongside this type of restriction comes tougher guidelines for drivers who have just recently passed their test, between the ages of 17 and 21, which includes a six point penalty for any driver not wearing a seat belt. It also aims to introduce curfew deadlines, where drivers in the above category will not be able to drive between 12am and 4am. The permit would be applicable to drivers for the first full six months after passing their driving test.

The Department for Transport figures show that 290 people were killed and 4,669 were seriously injured in crashes last year, involving at least one driver being between the ages of 17 and 24.

Countries such as Canada have already brought in similar initiatives as what the AA is proposing. Figures from the countries that have already adopted this graduated driving license have seen a reduction in the amount of accidents and deaths of between 20 and 40%.

The proposed initiative may help in minimising road traffic accidents in the younger populations and is a nationwide campaign backed by parents and the motoring organisation.