In a new survey, the British public say they want more road safety rules to make our roads safer and to protect young drivers.
In the poll from charity The Road Safety Trust, 48% of respondents think that “too little is being done to protect young drivers” with the figure understandably rising to 58% among parents with children over the age of 16.
However, perhaps unsurprisingly, young drivers themselves are not as concerned with only 27% of 18–24-year-olds thinking too little is being done – while the majority (54%) believe there is no need for any additional legislation.
More restrictions
Meanwhile, the survey revealed there was significant support among the British public for introducing Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). This imposes limitations on what a young driver can and can’t do in the first few years of driving (such as being banned from carrying peer-age passengers because of the threat of distraction).
While the government has already indicated it won’t be including GDL in its forthcoming National Road Safety Strategy, 72% of the poll’s respondents believe the system should be rolled out, with only 12% opposing the idea.
Whatever the government decides to do, improving young driver safety can’t come soon enough. For instance, data from 2023 shows that 290 people were killed and 4,669 were seriously injured in crashes involving drivers aged between 17-24.
Toughen up
At the other end of the age spectrum, a key stat from the poll reveals 82% of the public support introducing mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70. Other potential legislation that received a thumbs up from the public, includes:
- Lowering the legal alcohol limit (71%)
- Requiring all new cars to include safety technology (68%)
- Supporting a ‘Vision Zero’ target of no deaths or serious injuries (64%).
The biggest takeaway? The vast majority of Brits (86%) believe that road safety is an important national issue, with concerns about general road safety shared by all age groups – whether you’re Gen Z (85% have concerns) or over 60 (89%).
“This research shows that the British public have confidence in evidence-based measures to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads – and want to see them implemented. … [Our] findings come at an important moment, as the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited National Road Safety Strategy. They show a willing public and clear opportunity for action.”
• Paul Steinberg, Director of Communications and Engagement, The Road Safety Trust
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