A WEST Yorkshire MP has introduced a bill in Parliament calling for restrictions on young drivers - after meeting with a bereaved Bradford district dad.
Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, wants to see the introduction of graduated driving licenses, which she said could help to save lives.
Such licences would impose restrictions on new drivers for the first six months after passing their test.
Options for a graduated driving licence scheme include restrictions on driving at night and the number of passengers allowed in cars.
Queensbury man Dr Ian Greenwood - whose 12-year-old daughter Alice died in a horrific crash - is supporting the campaign for graduated driving licences.
Ms Leadbeater introduced her Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (New Drivers) Bill under the so-called Ten Minute Rule.
The proposal for graduated driving licences has cross-party support in the House of Commons and is also backed by organisations including the AA, RAC, Brake and the Association of British Insurers.
In House of Commons on Tuesday, Ms Leadbeater said: "Since I was elected in 2021, road safety has been one of my top priorities and an issue frequently raised with me by concerned constituents.
"Speeding drivers, high performance rental vehicles, off-road motorbikes and quad bikes, inconsiderate and dangerous parking and reckless driving blight our towns and villages."
Referring to the national situation, she said: "It is a tragic and horrifying fact that in Great Britain in 2022, there were 29,742 individuals killed or seriously injured on our roads.
"And we must never forget that behind that statistic there are thousands of families across the country, grieving and going through unimaginable pain. Lives changed forever and families torn apart by tragic and often avoidable collisions."
Explaining the measures outlined in her proposed new law, Ms Leadbeater said: "The bill I am presenting would place restrictions on newly-qualified drivers for the first six months immediately after they pass their test, following consultation.
"During this time, substantial evidence shows that drivers are statistically much more likely to be involved in a collision, often with devastating consequences.
"Other countries which have successfully introduced graduated driving licences have included zero-alcohol consumption for newly-qualified drivers, as well as restrictions on the number of passengers in the car and on night-time driving, with exemptions for work, medical and emergency reasons.
"Additional options to consider are the inclusion of rural roads, motorways or dual carriageways as part of the driving test; a requirement during driving lessons that a driver gains experience on different road conditions; or consideration of the engine sizes new drivers are permitted to drive within the first few months of passing their test."
She stressed that her priority was saving lives on the roads and added: "This bill is not about taking away young people's freedom or fun - it's about trying to save their lives.
"By giving them the opportunity to build their experience and confidence during the first six months of driving after passing their test, we can try and ensure they have a happy lifetime of driving and the future they deserve.
"Road fatalities and serious injuries are not inevitable.
"Our roads can and must be safer."
Ms Leadbeater paid tribute to road safety campaigners like Dr Greenwood.
His daughter Alice died in October 2008 after her mum's car was hit as they drove back to West Yorkshire from a family trip.
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 other bereaved families believe graduated driving licenses would reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
He said Ms Leadbeater "did us proud in Parliament and spoke with conviction, compassion and determination".
Ms Leadbeater's bill will receive its second reading in Parliament on May 17.
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