Strong comments from road safety charities after govt response to road safety inquiry
There has been strong reaction to the government’s response to the Transport Select Committee’s inquiry into road safety last week. Both road safety charities Brake and IAM have issuesd press releases voicing their concerns. The charities have campaigned and are passionate about the recommendation to initiate an independent review of driver training, especially where young drivers are concerned. Read their responses below:
The IAM is continuing its call for post-test training for young drivers in the light of the government’s response to the transport select committee. IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “We welcome the MPs’ call for more central government responsibility. We want to see national targets to reduce death and injuries on Britain’s roads. Getting rid of them was a mistake. We support a review of driver training, especially for young drivers. The current system of learning to drive abandons them when they need help most – in the first six months of solo driving. Post-test training in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the driving test would save lives. Having analysed systems of post-test training from other countries, we know that the best examples have reduced young male deaths by almost 30%."
The IAM wants to see accredited training offered to young drivers in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the basic driving test.
This would include:
Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “Last year road death and serious injury increased for the first time in 17 years, meaning more families suffering horrendously and needlessly. The government’s assessment of this rise in serious casualties is disappointing, failing to acknowledge the suffering they inflict, the costly burden on society, and their preventability. Both Brake and the Committee urged the government to treat these horrifying statistics as a wake-up call, to spur determined and bold action to make our roads and communities safer, particularly for people on foot and bicycle. However, the government’s response shows a lack of willingness to take responsibility and a lack of ambition in bringing these devastating casualties down. We urge ministers to acknowledge how much could be achieved, to the benefit of communities and the public purse, through more decisive and progressive road safety policies.”
On young drivers, Julie Townsend said: “It is disappointing the government has not committed to an independent review of driver training to look at ways of reducing young driver crashes and casualties, as recommended by the Transport Select Committee. It is unacceptable that more young people die in preventable road crashes than from any other cause, and continue to be involved in such a huge proportion of serious crashes. The government must act to tackle this needless suffering and the huge costs to society. Brake looks forward to hearing the government’s proposals later this year."
Brake are continuing their campaign efforts to reduce road casualties amongst young drivers. They offer an excllent post on the Brake website outlining all the details of their "Too young to die" campaign. Brake feel very strongly that; "Road crashes are not accidents; the use of the term ‘accident’ undermines work to reduce road risk and causes insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by drivers taking risks on roads."
The IAM is continuing its call for post-test training for young drivers in the light of the government’s response to the transport select committee. IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “We welcome the MPs’ call for more central government responsibility. We want to see national targets to reduce death and injuries on Britain’s roads. Getting rid of them was a mistake. We support a review of driver training, especially for young drivers. The current system of learning to drive abandons them when they need help most – in the first six months of solo driving. Post-test training in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the driving test would save lives. Having analysed systems of post-test training from other countries, we know that the best examples have reduced young male deaths by almost 30%."
The IAM wants to see accredited training offered to young drivers in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the basic driving test.
This would include:
- Training by qualified instructors.
- An initial on-road assessment to gain knowledge of their experience and to highlight any deficiencies.
- Off-road practice in handling in the wet, speed into corners and the impact of speed on stopping distances.
- Benefits such as cheaper insurance for young drivers who complete the training.
Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “Last year road death and serious injury increased for the first time in 17 years, meaning more families suffering horrendously and needlessly. The government’s assessment of this rise in serious casualties is disappointing, failing to acknowledge the suffering they inflict, the costly burden on society, and their preventability. Both Brake and the Committee urged the government to treat these horrifying statistics as a wake-up call, to spur determined and bold action to make our roads and communities safer, particularly for people on foot and bicycle. However, the government’s response shows a lack of willingness to take responsibility and a lack of ambition in bringing these devastating casualties down. We urge ministers to acknowledge how much could be achieved, to the benefit of communities and the public purse, through more decisive and progressive road safety policies.”
On young drivers, Julie Townsend said: “It is disappointing the government has not committed to an independent review of driver training to look at ways of reducing young driver crashes and casualties, as recommended by the Transport Select Committee. It is unacceptable that more young people die in preventable road crashes than from any other cause, and continue to be involved in such a huge proportion of serious crashes. The government must act to tackle this needless suffering and the huge costs to society. Brake looks forward to hearing the government’s proposals later this year."
Brake are continuing their campaign efforts to reduce road casualties amongst young drivers. They offer an excllent post on the Brake website outlining all the details of their "Too young to die" campaign. Brake feel very strongly that; "Road crashes are not accidents; the use of the term ‘accident’ undermines work to reduce road risk and causes insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by drivers taking risks on roads."
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