ALL of the major English speaking countries in the world, except for the UK, have some form of graduated driving licence.

The schemes are intended to allow new drivers time to build up their skills, confidence and road experience so that they become fully competent behind the wheel.

In New Zealand the scheme is described as “a powerful tool to limit the number of accidents on our roads”.

And in Canada graduated licences have been hailed as a “resounding success in reducing death and injury among novice drivers”.

Graduated licence systems create fixed lengths of time before drivers can advance to the next licensing stage.

Restrictions usually relate to things that have been proven to affect a novice driver‘s ability, such as blood-alcohol levels, driving in the dark, or with passengers.

But now, as the Government’s Learn To Drive consultation nears an end, it is expected that recommendations for more pre-test learning will be made, rather than further testing once a licence is granted.

That goes against pleas from the Lancashire Telegraph, the road safety charity Brake and even the influential Commons Transport Select Committee.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said that a GDL would work in the UK.

He said: “I hope that the Government has listened during this consultation period and takes heed of what is said.

“The number of young people dying on our roads, especially here in East Lancashire, is far too high and the range of imaginative and workable ideas that form the Wasted Lives campaign deserve to be listened to.

“They have the support of the police and the support of the majority of the public.

“Similar schemes have worked elsewhere in the world and that cannot be ignored.”

The Telegraph’s Wasted Lives campaign has called for a two-part driving test to be introduced to include a series of modules that must be passed before sitting the Part One test.

Then, after a minimum of one year has passed, a Part Two test can be sat. Between passing the two tests a motorist must prove their ability to drive in a number of different circumstances, including night-time and motorway experience.

After passing Part Two a driver will still be limited to a car of no more than 100bhp for two years, will not be allowed to carry any passengers aged between 10 and 25 except family members and in an emergency.

Other recommendations include the immediate loss of a driving licence if a driver under 25 is caught doing more than 10mph over the speed limit.

This echoes what has been happening across the world for years.

In New Zealand a multi-stage graduated driving licence was introduced as long ago as August 1987. Learners cannot pass their test until they have six months of experience behind the wheel and then they can only possess a restricted licence which they must hold for 18 months.

In the USA to address the high fatality rate among teenage drivers, most states have adopted one or more elements of a GDL system. Many include restrictions on carrying passengers.

In Canada a two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: “What I want and what the Telegraph wants and what the people of East Lancashire want are graduated licences, and restrictions on novice motorists.

“The statistics make it clear that many young male drivers are a danger to themselves and other road users.”

In New Zealand restricted licence holders must not drive between 10pm and 5am unless accompanied by a supervisor and cannot carry passengers (apart from spouses and dependents) unless they have a fully qualified adult with them. A second, more advanced test is in place, which focuses on higher order driving skills such as hazard perception, and restrictions are then lifted.

A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport said: “Overall there has been a reduction in the number of 15-24 year old drivers involved in crashes since 1985.

“The system is seen as a powerful tool to limit the number of accidents on our roads.”

A 2002 study, by the Injury Prevention Research Unit in New Zealand, found that young people were reasonably accepting of the restrictions, although they did not like having passenger limits placed upon them.

In the US, a graduated system was first introduced in Florida in 1996. To address high fatality rates among teenage drivers, most states have since adopted one or more elements.

In California after passing a practical test and receiving a provisional licence, the holder must not drive between midnight and 5am for the first year and must not carry passengers under the age of 20 for the first six months. A full licence can be applied for at 18.

The NHTSA study on California reported a 20 per cent reduction in at-fault fatal and injury crashes for 16-year-old drivers, and a 21 per cent reduction in deaths and injuries amongst teenage passengers of 16-year-old drivers.

A rigorous graduated licensing scheme was introduced in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in 2000.

NSW drivers must pass three different stages over a period of four years before they get a full, unrestricted licence.

Throughout this process they must notch up a certain number of hours behind the wheel, are subject to varying speed restrictions and must not only pass a practical test but also two theory exams based on hazard perception and safety knowledge.

In 2004, the year after the drivers undergoing the new process became fully qualified, the fatality figure of 510 was the lowest recorded since 1947.

The figure dropped again in 2005 to 508 fatalities, and the number of people seriously injured also fell from 26,323 to 25,209.

British road safety charity Brake said that about one in eight UK licence holders was aged 25 or under, yet more than a quarter of motorists killed are from this age group.

The charity believes the introduction of a graduated licence system would change these statistics.

A spokesperson for Brake said: “Urgent measures are needed to improve the road safety of young drivers.

“Brake would like to see the introduction of graduated licensing to help prevent the tragic deaths of teenagers on our roads.”

Source: The Lancashire Telegraph website, by David Watkinson 

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area.

YOU know the person we’re talking about.

The one who caused a two-hour tailback because they broke down in the middle of the road. Or the one who cut you up on the motorway because he almost missed his exit. How about the one who ran out of petrol in the middle of nowhere?

In some way or another we’ve all been the giver, or receiver of the disapproving headshake or the angry fist, and as the amount of traffic on our roads escalates, it seems we’re either one or the other on a daily basis.

We at the Highways Agency aim to help drivers with their journeys by reminding them of a few simple steps they could take before they leave to make their travels easier and less stressful.

And, in the event that you do come across a situation where a road is closed for a long period of time, we aim to provide you with as much advice as possible on the road through our traffic officers, radio, phone, internet and variable message signs.

The Highways Agency suggests that by performing three simple actions, you can be much better prepared for your travels.

1. Plan your journey

Check your car, weather reports and route planning sites before setting off. It sounds like a ‘no-brainer’, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t. Which can lead to you getting lost, stuck in bad weather, caught in - or even causing - congestion. This could ultimately add hours onto your journey, and potentially everyone else’s.

We at the Highways Agency provide a range of free real-time live traffic information services for motorways and strategic A-roads in England.

Before you go

To find out what traffic conditions are like on your route before you leave, you can use:

• Traffic England, our website which allows you to view traffic conditions on your route.
• Our traffic radio service on DAB digital radio or online, a national and regional continuous traffic information service which covers most parts of the country.
• Our automated telephone service provides you with the latest traffic information over the phone on 08700 660 115*.
• CCTV – use the website to view images from our roadside traffic cameras. These pictures allow you to see live traffic conditions for yourself, helping you plan your journey more effectively.

As you travel

To keep up-to-date with the latest traffic information when you are out and about on our roads, you can use:

• Our variable message signs. These are the large electronic signs you see above or next to the network. We use them to communicate information and advice to you about roadworks, incidents, emergencies and events on our roads. 
• Travel time variable message signs. These display real-time travel and delay times, helping to give you a realistic indication of how long your journey is likely to take.
• Traffic Radio, if you have DAB digital radio, providing you with the latest regional and national traffic information. 
• Local radio if you have an FM RDS radio, set the TA/TP (travel announcement) button to receive local traffic news from radio stations in the area which you are travelling.

Taking a break

Making sure that you’ve allowed time for regular breaks on long journeys is an important part of planning your journey. When you take a break you can use:

• Highways Agency Information Points at selected motorway service stations. These terminals receive up to the minute traffic information from our National Traffic Control Centre and tell you what is happening on the road ahead.
• Our automated telephone service for traffic updates on 08700 660 115*.

We also have an information line where you can report any problems you see or for any questions or comments you might have:

• Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30*

2. Get your car serviced regularly

Regularly servicing your car will reduce your chances of breaking down, which will reduce your chances of causing a hold-up, which will reduce other drivers’ desire to stick their heads out of their windows and shout at you. Put simply, getting your car serviced will make for a better day for everyone.

3. Always carry an emergency kit

If you haven’t got an emergency kit in your car, you’re tempting fate. Anything could happen at any time that could result in you being stuck in your car for ages, from a severe weather event, to a road closure due to an accident/police investigation. You need to be prepared for any eventuality.

An emergency kit should contain a map, battery jump leads, a torch, a warning triangle, a fluorescent jacket, a first-aid kit, relevant medication, food and water (such as cereal bars and other long life snacks), warm clothes and a blanket. How about you gather it all together, pack it in bag and put it in your boot today?

These things happen

Despite all the best-laid plans, things do go wrong. Roads can be closed for all sorts of reasons including accidents, police investigations or weather related incidents.

If you do find yourself on a stretch of motorway that has been closed for a long time, the Highways Agency has a number of ways to help you. Here are some of them:

• Radio broadcasts on our own dedicated Traffic Radio station available on DAB digital radio or via the information we give to local radio stations.
• To tune into the local radio station press the TA/TP (traffic announcement) button on your radio. These sources will provide you with up to the minute and reliable traffic updates, and can help you make an informed decision on the best way forward.
• Where there are variable message signs we will aim to provide appropriate messages to help.
• Traffic Officers and Incident Support Unit operatives will be implementing contingency plans that might have been put in place. Make sure you listen to their instructions to ensure you know what to do as they’re there to help you. It’s important that you don’t abandon your vehicle and cause further chaos once the traffic starts to move.
• It is an offence not to comply with directions from a Traffic Officer.
• And, if not driving, you could go on-line to get information from the Traffic Radio website.

Mobile Phone – Switch off before you drive off

Source: The Highways Agency website

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area.