YES BUT - Geoff Garner, 19, Leicestershire
Since only one in eight drivers are under 25 yet one third of peopleinvolved in a fatal road accident are under 25, it's pretty clearsomething needs to be done. Anything that might help has got to be worthtrying. But will a year really make that much difference? Or could thisjust be a smokescreen solution to avoid losing money by addressing thereal problem? Human wellbeing shouldn't need to be cost-effective. Speedcameras and traffic wardens are no substitute for having real police onthe road.YES - Dianne Ferreira, press officer, Brake
The facts are plain. Road crashes are the biggest killer of youngpeople. Every day on UK roads, 22 young drivers and passengers arekilled or seriously injured. The Government should introduce a graduateddriver licensing system, which has cut the death toll in other countrieslike New Zealand. Research shows that a 12-month learning period alonewould reduce annual deaths and serious injuries by 1,000. We also needcompulsory road safety education in schools.
NO - Bud Simpkin, chief executive, Young Suffolk
This would have a devastating effect, on education in particular. In myarea they have just opened up a vocational training centre but there aremany areas that don't have one and getting to one involves a long drive.Instead what the Government should be doing is looking specifically atbad drivers and not penalise all young drivers, for example gettingthose who have been convicted of an offence to take a re-test. It seemsunfair to put in such a sweeping move that affects all young people.
NO - Dan Halliday, vice-chair, National Federation of Young Farmers'Clubs
The knock-on effect to many thousands of young people who would drivesensibly given the opportunity would be very great. With a lack ofpublic transport and social and educational opportunities in many of ourrural areas, young people need transport as soon as possible. We do notwant to see any further increase in rural depopulation. With theseproposals, aren't MPs questioning the skills of inexperienced drivers?These will still be present at 18 years of age.
