Department for Transport
Central Government
Noted
The Department for Transport acknowledges the coroner's concerns, highlights the falling number of fatalities for young drivers, and mentions the THINK! campaign and development of a new road safety strategy without committing to specific changes related to the concerns raised. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Penelope Schofield,
RESPONSE TO REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
Thank you for your letter of 17 March to the Secretary of State, enclosing your Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 14 March made under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, following the inquest you conducted into the death of William Radford. I am responding as Minister for the Future of Roads.
I am deeply saddened by the circumstances of William Radford’s death, and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family.
I would like to make clear that improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
Whilst UK roads are among the safest in the world, there is no room for complacency, and I have carefully considered your report and its recommendations.
The latest statistics do show that the number of fatalities for car drivers aged 17-24 years-old on Britain’s roads is falling – a decrease of 80% between 1990 and 2023. However, this Government acknowledges that there is still work to be done. In terms of population and the number of miles driven, 17– 24-year-olds, particularly young men, remain one of the highest fatality risk groups both as car drivers and passengers.
In Britain, there is a form of restricting novice drivers though the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. On acquiring their first full licence, a new driver is on ‘probation’ for two years. During this time, they are subject to a limit of six penalty points received for any driving offences (including any received when in the learning stage). If six or more points are received, then a driver loses their full licence and must apply again for a provisional licence, and then re- take both their theory and practical test.
Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and this is something we are determined to tackle, including through our THINK! campaign.
THINK! is the Government’s flagship road safety campaign. It aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales by changing attitudes and behaviours among those at most risk, with the primary audience being young men aged 17-24. THINK! targets issues that cause the highest number of deaths and serious injuries amongst young people, such as drink driving and speeding, as well as communicating other key policy interventions. The campaign is rooted in audience insight and delivers highly targeted and relevant messaging to drive behaviour change.
I want to reiterate that this Government treats road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To that end, my Department is developing the first road safety strategy in over a decade and will set out more details in due course.
Best wishes,
MINISTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ROADS
RESPONSE TO REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
Thank you for your letter of 17 March to the Secretary of State, enclosing your Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 14 March made under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, following the inquest you conducted into the death of William Radford. I am responding as Minister for the Future of Roads.
I am deeply saddened by the circumstances of William Radford’s death, and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family.
I would like to make clear that improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
Whilst UK roads are among the safest in the world, there is no room for complacency, and I have carefully considered your report and its recommendations.
The latest statistics do show that the number of fatalities for car drivers aged 17-24 years-old on Britain’s roads is falling – a decrease of 80% between 1990 and 2023. However, this Government acknowledges that there is still work to be done. In terms of population and the number of miles driven, 17– 24-year-olds, particularly young men, remain one of the highest fatality risk groups both as car drivers and passengers.
In Britain, there is a form of restricting novice drivers though the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. On acquiring their first full licence, a new driver is on ‘probation’ for two years. During this time, they are subject to a limit of six penalty points received for any driving offences (including any received when in the learning stage). If six or more points are received, then a driver loses their full licence and must apply again for a provisional licence, and then re- take both their theory and practical test.
Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and this is something we are determined to tackle, including through our THINK! campaign.
THINK! is the Government’s flagship road safety campaign. It aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales by changing attitudes and behaviours among those at most risk, with the primary audience being young men aged 17-24. THINK! targets issues that cause the highest number of deaths and serious injuries amongst young people, such as drink driving and speeding, as well as communicating other key policy interventions. The campaign is rooted in audience insight and delivers highly targeted and relevant messaging to drive behaviour change.
I want to reiterate that this Government treats road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To that end, my Department is developing the first road safety strategy in over a decade and will set out more details in due course.
Best wishes,
MINISTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ROADS