Road Injuries and Deaths

Debate between Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Baroness Seccombe

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

Yes. It is a really bad thing to do. I will write to the noble and learned Baroness rather than riffle through these papers. Increasing the ability of local authorities to deal with what look like minor transgressions of behaviour but actually badly affect vulnerable people and their confidence and ability to move around. This Government are committed to doing something about it. I will write to her.

[Baroness Seccombe (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I can certainly be a bit clearer about it, because there are public service vehicles that are fitted with the same technology, for some very obvious reasons. It is right to consider all these measures in the round. That is why we are revising the road safety strategy.

[Baroness Seccombe (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister understand the agony and trauma of losing a much-loved child? A teenage driver, having passed his driving test six weeks earlier, killed his three passengers on the way home from school. If the Minister does understand, what is he going to do about these teenage drivers?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I very much understand the tragedy that the noble Baroness describes, and indeed my ministerial colleagues have met some of the families of victims and of young drivers who have killed their friends and family. It is deeply distressing. The Government are committed to doing something about this. The current THINK! campaign is entirely addressed at young drivers, for this very obvious reason. People are very vulnerable when they start driving and do not have the experience. The Government recognise this and will consider it further in the road safety strategy review that I mentioned.