New research has shown that young motorists are disproportionately involved in road traffic accidents, prompting calls for new driving licence rules to improve safety.
Graduated Driving Licences were included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (NI) 2016, which received Royal Assent in the same year in a bid to improve road safety.
Initial plans were outlined for the GDL system to be introduced in late 2020, although this was delayed as a result of the pandemic.
As part of the introductory process, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has monitored the road safety of drivers and motorcyclists aged between 17 and 23.
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Trends in the data will determine how effective the GDL system is and how it can improve safety on roads through new licensing rules for younger people.
Many have called for Graduated Driving Licences to be introduced for young people who have recently passed their practical test.
Potential restrictions include a ban on carrying same-age passengers for a certain period of time, as well as a zero-tolerance rule for drink-driving.
In 2023, drivers aged between 17 and 23 in Northern Ireland were deemed to be responsible for 21 per cent of all fatal or serious collisions, despite accounting for just eight per cent of licence holders.
There were 219 fatal or serious casualties resulting from collisions involving a car driver aged between 17 and 23, an increase of one more than the average recorded from 2012 to 2016.
In Northern Ireland, the GDL will introduce a "Programme of Training" for learner drivers and riders, which must be evidenced in a logbook, as well as a "mandatory minimum learning period" (MMLP) of six months.
New drivers must also display a post-test plate for two years after passing, while a time-bound passenger restriction for new drivers under 24 years of age will also apply for the first six months.
Other changes included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (NI) 2016 require the removal of the 45mph speed limit for learner and newly qualified drivers. They are also allowed to take lessons on motorways when accompanied by an approved driving or motorcycle instructor.
The newly released research found that just under two-thirds of passengers who were killed or injured while travelling with a driver aged between 17 and 23 were aged 14 to 20.
Support for Graduated Driving Licences has grown dramatically in recent months, with a petition backing the measures receiving almost 103,500 signatures.
The petition was launched by road safety campaigner Crystal Owen, following the death of her son, Harvey, 17, and three of his friends, after they came off a road in north Wales and landed in a water-filled ditch.
Owen said the death of her son and his friends could have been prevented if a GDL had been in place, adding: "These short-term safety measures could prevent approximately 537 deaths and serious injuries each year in the UK where 17-19 year old drivers are involved."
A Department for Transport spokesperson told GB News: "Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
"Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers."
Find Out More...
Graduated Driving Licences were included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (NI) 2016, which received Royal Assent in the same year in a bid to improve road safety.
Initial plans were outlined for the GDL system to be introduced in late 2020, although this was delayed as a result of the pandemic.
As part of the introductory process, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has monitored the road safety of drivers and motorcyclists aged between 17 and 23.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Trends in the data will determine how effective the GDL system is and how it can improve safety on roads through new licensing rules for younger people.
Many have called for Graduated Driving Licences to be introduced for young people who have recently passed their practical test.
Potential restrictions include a ban on carrying same-age passengers for a certain period of time, as well as a zero-tolerance rule for drink-driving.
In 2023, drivers aged between 17 and 23 in Northern Ireland were deemed to be responsible for 21 per cent of all fatal or serious collisions, despite accounting for just eight per cent of licence holders.
There were 219 fatal or serious casualties resulting from collisions involving a car driver aged between 17 and 23, an increase of one more than the average recorded from 2012 to 2016.
In Northern Ireland, the GDL will introduce a "Programme of Training" for learner drivers and riders, which must be evidenced in a logbook, as well as a "mandatory minimum learning period" (MMLP) of six months.
New drivers must also display a post-test plate for two years after passing, while a time-bound passenger restriction for new drivers under 24 years of age will also apply for the first six months.
Other changes included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (NI) 2016 require the removal of the 45mph speed limit for learner and newly qualified drivers. They are also allowed to take lessons on motorways when accompanied by an approved driving or motorcycle instructor.
The newly released research found that just under two-thirds of passengers who were killed or injured while travelling with a driver aged between 17 and 23 were aged 14 to 20.
Support for Graduated Driving Licences has grown dramatically in recent months, with a petition backing the measures receiving almost 103,500 signatures.
The petition was launched by road safety campaigner Crystal Owen, following the death of her son, Harvey, 17, and three of his friends, after they came off a road in north Wales and landed in a water-filled ditch.
Owen said the death of her son and his friends could have been prevented if a GDL had been in place, adding: "These short-term safety measures could prevent approximately 537 deaths and serious injuries each year in the UK where 17-19 year old drivers are involved."
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A Department for Transport spokesperson told GB News: "Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
"Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers."
Find Out More...