Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, today released figures showing car crash deaths in East Lancashire where the driver was 21 or under.

The MP is stepping up his campaign for conditional or graduated driving licences where learners progress in stages to a full licence.

The MP said: “Many young men behind the wheel are a menace to themselves and others. We need to fundamentally re-think the way in which people, especially young men, are taught to drive.”

The MP added: “Since 2000 we have had 25 deaths in car accidents where a young man age 21 or under was the driver. By contrast there was one death involving a female car driver 21 or under.”

Note to Editors:

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 8 May 2008, Official Report, columns 1066-7W, on roads: accidents, how many (a) men and (b) women were killed in car accidents in East Lancashire where at least one driver involved was aged 21 or under and (i) male and (ii) female in each year since 2000. [205544]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The numbers of (a) male and (b) female car occupant fatalities in reported road accidents where the driver was (i) male and (ii) female and aged 21 years or under in East Lancashire in 2000 to 2006 are shown in the table.

Number of fatalities. Driver aged 21 and under

Mf = male fatality
Ff = female fatality

Note: East Lancashire = Hyndburn, Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen.