Parliamentary Reports
| Road Safety |
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| Friday, 17 October 2008 16:06 |
I have been campaigning hard for firm action to address the carnage of young people on the roads of Pendle and the country as a whole. The statistics are horrific and need urgent action across as many fronts as possible. Young men, behind the wheel, are the biggest killers of young women. A shocking fact – but true. The Government’s consultation, which ended on 8th September, points to a revised testing procedure and a new qualification preparing youngsters for driver training. It is not enough. I have been working closely with the campaign mounted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Wasted Lives – Campaigning to protect our young drivers, to find ways of reducing the appalling waste of young lives through needless motoring accidents. Over 1000 young car drivers aged 18 – 25 are killed or seriously injured each year in motoring accidents and the number is increasing each year with 2006 having 396 young men killed either driving or being driven by someone under 21 years old.The influential Institute of Advanced Motorists has published a comprehensive report Young Drivers – where and when they are unsafe that supports many of the conclusions and proposals I have put forward. These include the introduction of graduated licences which restrict newly qualified drivers to what they can and cannot do until they prove their competence. These include limited driving in the evenings, limits to carrying young passengers and limits to driving powerful vehicles. The roadside flowers that mark fatal accidents are a stark reminder of wasted lives. We cannot let this carnage continue when responsible bodies can identify steps that government and others can take to address the problem. I will continue to battle for changes that will help to cut this appalling loss of life. You can read my Commons debate on Road Safety by visiting the Campaign section of my website www.gordonprenticemp.com |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 17 October 2008 16:10 ) |
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