Two bereaved mothers are urging the Labour Party government to protect younger road users with fresh calls for Graduated Driving Licences in England. Crystal Owen and Nicola Bell-Percy lost their children in road traffic tragedies and are working with the Protect Young Drivers organisation to highlight the impact of collisions involving young motorists.
Campaign for safer roads
Nicola Bell-Percy, who lost her son Aaron Bell, 18, said: "It isn't just about losing Aaron. You lose so much more as well. Your family and friends disappear because they can't walk with you in the grief." The mothers feature in a short film produced by Protect Young Drivers to raise awareness.
Rebecca Morris, a road safety communications specialist supporting the campaign, stated: "Behind every road death statistic is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Crystal and Nicola have shown extraordinary courage in sharing their experiences. We hope their stories encourage conversations about young driver safety and help more people understand the devastating consequences these collisions can have for families, friends and entire communities."
Previous inquiries and government response
A 2021 Transport Select Committee inquiry on road safety for young and novice drivers examined the case for graduated licensing. It noted evidence of a positive impact on road safety but also concerns over effects on access to employment and education.
A Department for Transport spokesperson previously told the BBC: "Every death on our roads is a tragedy and we continue to work tirelessly to improve road safety. We have commissioned research designed to help learner and newly-qualified drivers improve their skills and safety, while our THINK! campaign is specifically targeted at young drivers."
