Road safety charities across the UK are pushing for a significant reform in how new and young drivers are licensed. They are advocating for a graduated driving licence (GDL) system, which would see new drivers gain experience in stages. Their concern lies in the disproportionate risk young drivers pose on the roads. Statistics show that while they make up only 7% of licensed drivers, they're involved in a quarter of all injury collisions and a shocking 24% of fatal accidents.

The charities argue that the current system throws new drivers, especially teenagers, into the deep end right after passing their test. A GDL system, implemented in many other countries, would provide a period of supervised learning with restrictions like night curfews and limitations on the number of passengers.

The Association of British Insurers has weighed in too. According to their research, the presence of friends can both distract young drivers and encourage them to drive in a more risky way.

Young drivers carrying two young passengers are twice as likely to be killed as those driving alone; and they are four times more likely to die if they have three young passengers (more data here).

Campaigners believe, would allow young drivers to gain experience in a safer environment, ultimately reducing the number of preventable tragedies on UK roads.

Today in Parliament, MP Kim Leadbeater will push for Government action on the matter.