Government stalling on young driver safety policy

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The UK government is stalling over young driver safety policy, despite compelling evidence that it would prevent casualties and save money, argue public health experts, road safety groups and insurance industry representatives in a letter to this week’s BMJ.

They call for a frank and open public debate on the issue.

In January 2013, the government promised it would publish its green paper on young driver safety in the spring, they explain. But in late December, the government admitted it was still “wrestling with the issues” and would “issue a paper when we have considered this further.”

In the UK, motor vehicle crashes account for a quarter of deaths in 15-19 year olds. The green paper was to set out options for tackling the burden of young driver crashes on health and health services, supported by a Department for Transport commissioned evidence review by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory).

This review found compelling evidence for introducing graduated driver licensing (GDL), designed to provide new drivers with experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments before attaining a full license.

It conservatively estimated that GDL would prevent 4,471 casualties and save £224m annually.

The government is now looking at alternatives, including telematic driver monitoring, write the authors. “Telematics show promise, but are unproved as a public health intervention. We see telematics as complementary to GDL, not an alternative.”

“The need for GDL is clear,” they say. “It is supported by the road safety sector, the insurance industry, public health, the police, road safety charities, and politicians. International evidence is compelling, and to exclude GDL from the green paper would greatly reduce the potential for evidence based change.”

“We remain hopeful that the green paper will be published and that it will recognise the benefits of GDL, include the recommendations from the TRL review, and that a frank and open public debate will follow,” they conclude.