Legal News
Police Chief Urges the Implementation of “Graduated” Driver’s Licence (7 December 2011)
Date: 07/12/2011
A UK senior traffic police officer has called for newly qualified drivers to be banned from using motorways and driving at night. Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport also wishes to see novice drivers faced with limits on the amount of passengers they are able to carry. The changes form a part of a proposed “graduated” driver’s licence scheme that would see newly qualified drivers experiencing a period of probation. The scheme would subject new drivers to additional rules, after which they would be granted a full driver’s licence free from restrictions. Miss Davenport, who is employed by Northamptonshire Police, holds responsibility for roads policing through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
While newly qualified young drivers may object to the proposals, experts claim that they will be able to take advantage of the cheaper insurance premiums that would derive from the measures. The proposals would ensure that Britain was brought into line with other countries across the globe and could effectively save the lives of hundreds of people.
Miss Davenport told of how her proposals stemmed from the fact that newly qualified drivers fail to gain experience of navigating busy A-roads and driving in the dark during their driving lessons yet are allowed to drive on motorways upon passing their tests. Miss Davenport claims that while the vast majority of young and newly qualified drivers are responsible, some take risks on the roads. She has also urged drivers to be prohibited from drinking alcohol.
Duncan Lewis’ public law solicitors are experts in statutory law, an area of law that governs rights to benefits such as driving licences.