Time to bring laws for young drivers into the 21st century

Dafydd Huw Craven-Jones had only passed his driving test six months before the crash between Cannock and Penkridge in May last year. 

The inquest heard that the 18-year-old lost control after being recorded travelling at speeds of up to 85mph, costing him his own life and those of his two 17-year-old passengers. A third passenger, also aged 17, suffered serious injuries, and will likely be scarred for life as a result of the ordeal.

There are parallels between this and the tragic death of Shrewsbury teenagers Jevon Hirst, Wilf Fitchett, Harvey Owen and Hugo Morris, who died when Hugo lost control of his car, which landed upside down in a water-filled ditch. Like Daffyd, Hugo had only passed his test six months earlier.

Harvey's mother Crystal Owen is calling for a change to the law, creating 'graduated' driving licences, requiring teenagers to spend a minimum of six months learning to drive before they can pass their test, and restricting newly qualified drivers from carrying young passengers unless accompanied by an older adult.

These proposals, which were debated in parliament last week, have the backing of West Mercia's police and crime commissioner John Campion, and have been successfully implemented in other countries.

We believe it is time the UK followed suit. Inexperience behind the wheel coupled with natural youthful exuberance has always been a dangerous combination. Add to that the fact that even quite modest cars are much more powerful today than they would have been a generation ago, and it is clear that today's driving laws need to be brought into the 21st century.