Petition launched calling for Graduated Driving Licensing and power restrictions for new drivers
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
A bereaved mother has launched a petition calling for the introduction of a Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) system in Britain, alongside mandatory restrictions on access to high-powered vehicles for young and newly qualified drivers.
Carly MacDonald is urging policymakers to introduce reforms following the death of her two-year-old son, Sonny, in Whitstable, in August 2025. Sonny was in his pushchair on the pavement when was he was struck by a young driver. His Dad was also seriously injured. She has since launched a petition, calling for:
A Graduated Driving Licensing system for newly qualified drivers
Restrictions on access to high-powered vehicles until drivers reach a minimum age and have held a full licence for a defined period
Enforcement through DVLA licensing conditions
Support through insurance eligibility requirements
The petition highlights that the first years of driving are a time when experience, judgement and decision-making are still developing, and that immediate access to powerful vehicles can increase the consequences of mistakes.
Carly says the reforms would help reduce preventable deaths and serious injuries, while also protecting young drivers from life-changing consequences.
