Bereaved dad calls for restrictions on new drivers

Dr Ian Greenwood, of Queensbury, is part of the Forget-me-not Families Uniting campaign group, which is made up of parents whose children were all killed by cars driven by inexperienced motorists. 

They want to see the introduction of graduated driving licenses, which would place a set of restrictions on young drivers who have recently passed their test.

Options for a graduated driving licence include restrictions on driving at night and the number of passengers allowed in cars.

Dr Greenwood's daughter Alice died in October 2008 after her mum's car was hit as they drove back to West Yorkshire from a family trip.

Alice is forever 12-years-old (Image: Submitted)

The other vehicle's 18-year-old driver, who himself died in the crash alongside his 16-year-old passenger, had been part of a convoy of cars racing each other in Derbyshire.

Four teenagers were jailed for causing death by careless driving the following year.

Alice's younger sister, Clara, and her mum, Juliette, both suffered serious injuries in the collision but thankfully survived.

Dr Greenwood and the other bereaved families involved in Forget-me-not Families Uniting believe graduated driving licenses would reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. 

He said: "The evidence for graduated driving licensing is strong and has been available for many years, and I hope politicians will listen to the experts and act.

"It's about helping young drivers manage the transition from being novice to experienced - we want to help them stay alive.

"Graduated driving licensing was first debated in the House of Commons in 1993, and my daughter - who is forever 12 - was killed in a young driver crash in 2008.

"Had politicians acted before then, or over the decades since, and not simply debated, Alice might very well be looking forward to her 28th birthday this year."

Dr Greenwood, who has a PhD in road safety policy, said his daughter was an "innocent bystander impacted by a young driver crash".

"This happens a lot in West Yorkshire and is problematic in Bradford," he added. 

"We want to finally do something about all this."

A Government spokesperson said at the start of this year there were no plans to introduce graduated driving licences but added: "We have commissioned research to better support new drivers and our THINK! campaign is specifically targeted at young drivers, who are more at risk on the roads."