Driving Licence: Young and Newly Qualified Drivers

Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe Excerpts

Monday 15th January 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

I am afraid I am not in a position to comment on that. What I can say, on a very serious point, is that, overall, the figures for 2022 are that one fifth of all car collisions resulting in death or serious injury involved young drivers aged between 17 and 24. In 2022, 1,365 young car drivers were killed or seriously injured. Young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.

[Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Lab)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the major factors leading to the death or serious injury of those aged between 17 and 24 is a higher incidence of drink and drugs among that cohort, which is well known by the insurance industry? Does he recognise that we have the weakest rules relating to the amount that one can drink in the whole of Europe, apart from Malta? Is it not time that, when they come to undertake the review following the evidence being presented, the Government take action and require them to stay away from drinking in the way that they do at the moment?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

The noble Lord makes a very good point. I appreciate everything that he says.