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North Wales Chronicle

Gwynedd: Government won't explain graduated driving licences stance

Crystal Owen's 17-year-old son, Harvey, was one of four teenagers who died when their car rolled into a ditch in Gwynedd in 2023, while Jo Alkir's 17-year-old daughter, Olivia, was killed following a crash between Ruthin and Clawddnewydd in 2019. Ms Owen started a petition in October 2024, which has received more than 108,000 signatures and proposes the following 'reasonable changes': Both Ms Owen and Ms Alkir, along with other parents who lost their children in car crashes, delivered the petition to 10 Downing Street in April, despite the Department for Transport (DfT) reiterating that it is not considering GDLs. Bereaved parents, who have all lost their children in car accidents, delivering a 100,000-signature petition to Downing Street, London, calling for stricter licensing laws for young drivers. (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) The Free Press has made multiple requests to the DfT to interview Lilian Greenwood MP, the minister for future of roads, but all have been unsuccessful. Mrs Greenwood publicly supported a bill for GDLs introduced by Kim Leadbeater MP in May 2024 (prior to last year's general election), but said at a parliamentary debate in January that the government is not considering them. The Chronicle/Free Press also asked, in an email to the DfT's press office, why it is not considering GDLs, why Ms Greenwood previously supported GDLs but has changed her stance, and why the DfT has yet to publish its findings from its Driver2020. Proud to be a supporter of @kimleadbeater's Bill. There is good evidence that GDL could save lives and it deserves proper consideration by government. No one has done more to push this onto the UK political agenda than @ian_m_greenwood. The DfT responded by saying: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way. 'Whilst we are not considering GDLs, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are considering other measures to tackle this problem and protect young drivers." The DfT previously provided the same statement to the Free Press in October and January. Harvey Owen (Image: Submitted) Olivia Alkir (Image: Submitted) At January's parliamentary debate, Mrs Greenwood said that 'recent statistics show an 80 per cent decrease in the number of young drivers killed on our roads since 1990'. But Ms Owen said: 'The government are being misleading with the 80 per cent 'reduction'. 'Young driver fatalities are driven by three factors. The most important one in reducing fatalities has been the impact of newer, safer cars. 'Affordability is the second factor. In 1990, 54 per cent of males under 21 held a full driving licence. In 2023 that had fallen to 29 per cent. 'Demographics is the third factor. In the 2010s, there was a reduction in young adult. By 2030, the number of 18-year-olds is projected to increase by 25 per cent.' Crystal Owen (Image: Newsquest) Government statistics show that, in the UK in 2023, the rate of killed and seriously injured (KSI) casualties per billion miles was four times higher for male car drivers aged 17 to 24 than all car drivers older than 25. Meanwhile, 90 young drivers and 200 passengers and other road users were killed in 2023 in crashes involving young drivers. KSI casualties in crashes involving a young driver has started to rise – from 3,987 in 2020, to 4,959 in 2023. Ms Owen's and Ms Alkir's campaigning has also received the backing of organisations such as the AA and the RAC – the latter has said GDLs 'could help save lives on the country's roads'. Both mothers are also part of Forget-Me-Not Families Uniting, a group of almost 200 bereaved families who have lost young loved ones in similar circumstances. Ms Owen has also rejected suggestions that GDLs would 'penalise' young drivers. L: Harvey Owen. R: Crystal Owen (Image: NWP/PA) 'Teenagers being able to drive solo for six months after passing their practical test will give them the opportunity to be mobile and gain experience,' she said. 'If the change in demographics results in an increase in the number and cost of road collisions, driving will become less affordable for young adults. 'Not protecting young drivers has created a vicious circle that makes driving increasingly unaffordable for most young adults. 'Driver2020 was paid for with taxpayers' money, so why are we not seeing what they have done with the money? Why is the taxpayer paying for this research to be done if we're not being shown the results of it?' Another new measure that has been discussed is that all cars must be fitted with a tool that could smash open a window if a car is trapped, to allow occupants to escape. In 2022, a film about Olivia Alkir, called Olivia's Story, was made by North Wales Police in a bid to deter young drivers from reckless behaviour on the roads. The film features dashcam footage of the cars involved in the 2019 crash, alongside a recording of Jo Alkir at the scene as she begs her daughter to live. Ms Alkir said: 'Why is the government allowing young novice drivers to be allowed to carry passengers, just after they have passed their test, knowing that they are a distraction? 'Arrogance, ignorance and selfishness kills. 'It has been proven that, in Canada, GDLs have prevented the deaths of young drivers (in April, it was reported that deaths in Canada among 16-to-19-year-old drivers have fallen by 83 per cent). 'Why is the government ignoring this?' Liz Saville Roberts is the Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, the constituency in which Harvey Owen and his three friends died in November 2023. She has since met Ms Owen and expressed her support for her campaigning. Liz Saville Roberts and Crystal Owen (Image: Submitted) Mrs Saville Roberts said: 'It is very disappointing that the DfT are seemingly unwilling to consider GDLs as a means of curbing accidents and fatalities amongst newly qualified drivers, when there is ample evidence that such a measure would help save lives. 'I have previously raised this matter with the UK roads minister to seek clarity as to what the UK government is doing to improve road safety amongst young drivers - including the merits of a staged approach of gaining full driving privileges. 'We know that young people are disproportionally affected by road accidents therefore the UK government should be actively considering all options to reduce deaths amongst newly qualified drivers. 'I would like to reaffirm my support to those campaigning to improve road safety and highlight the devastating consequences of accidents amongst young drivers including Crystal Owen and Jo Alkir, who have shown immense courage in the face of terrible loss. 'I would encourage the government to work with campaigners and listen to those who have lived experience of this devastating issue as they commence work on their Road Safety Strategy.' The DfT is expected to publish its Road Safety Strategy in due course.