top of page

Protect Young Drivers launches in Parliament with powerful show of national support

  • Writer: Rebecca Morris
    Rebecca Morris
  • Nov 19
  • 3 min read
ree

More than 70 representatives from across the road safety community gathered in Parliament yesterday for the launch of Protect Young Drivers, marking a significant new phase in the movement to reduce young driver and passenger deaths in the UK.

Hosted by Andy McNae MP, the launch brought together an unprecedented coalition - Members of Parliament, Police and Crime Commissioners, emergency services, insurers, academics, charities, campaigners and bereaved families – all united by a single shared goal: to protect young, novice drivers when they first get behind the wheel.

We were also honoured to welcome the Road Safety Minister, Lilian Greenwood, whose attendance demonstrated the importance of this issue at the highest levels of Government and was warmly appreciated by everyone in the room.

Due to unexpectedly high demand, the event had to be moved to a larger venue within Parliament. Even after relocating, the room was still overflowing - a clear reflection of the strength of support across the sector and across the country.

Many people stood, some gave up their seats for bereaved families, and others lined the walls. Yet the atmosphere was focused, respectful and united.

Comfort didn’t matter. Being together did.

Attendees emphasised that the gathering reflected the growing momentum behind evidence-led measures - including Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) - and the shared desire to work constructively with Government to prevent further tragedies.


Just some of the supporters in Parliament to mark the launch of Protect Young Drivers

Unprecedented breadth of support

The event was attended by an extraordinary range of organisations and individuals, demonstrating just how widely the issue of young driver safety resonates.

Those represented included:

  • Members of Parliament from across multiple regions - including Kim Leadbeater, David Williams, Michelle Scrogham, Caroline Nokes, Jeremy Wright and Anna Dixon

  • Police and Crime Commissioners and teams from Durham, Warwickshire, Cumbria, Surrey, Essex and West Mercia

  • Police, fire and rescue services from Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Devon & Cornwall, West Yorkshire and others

  • National bodies such as PACTS, NPCC, NFCC, National Highways and Road Safety Support

  • Leading charities and NGOs including IAM RoadSmart, Brake, Road Safety GB, Safer Roads Humber, Vision Zero West Yorkshire and the Young Driver Foundation

  • Legal and insurance organisations including Irwin Mitchell, Fletchers, Keoghs, RAC Foundation and TyreSafe

  • Academics and research partners including the University of Greenwich and HORIBA MIRA

  • Road safety educators and innovators including FirstCar, My Learner Driver, GCM and Leaders Unlocked

  • Media including Sky News and Bauer Media

  • Bereaved families, including Sharron Huddleston, Ian Greenwood, Chris Taylor, Crystal Owen and Nicola Bell-Percy

  • Government officials, including the Local Transport Minister and senior representatives from the Department for Transport

This breadth of attendance underscored a shared national commitment to preventing young driver deaths and injuries.

“A new phase in a movement”

The launch of www.protectyoungdrivers.com was described as “a new phase in a movement” - providing a shared, accessible hub of evidence, data, research and lived experience for policymakers, practitioners and families.

Co-delivered by Jamie Hassall, Executive Director of PACTS, and Rebecca Morris, Road Safety Communications Specialist, the platform aims to strengthen collaboration and support informed debate across the UK.

Speakers including PCC Joy Allen, PCC Philip Seccombe, Chris Taylor and Sgt Owen Messenger highlighted the importance of unity, evidence-led decision making and listening to the voices of families who have lost loved ones.

Bereaved parents who attended also made powerful contributions, reminding attendees of the human stories behind the statistics and the urgent need for change.

A shared determination to prevent further tragedy

With young drivers representing 24% of all fatal or serious injury collisions, attendees emphasised the need for urgent action - and the sector’s collective willingness to support Government in developing effective, evidence-led solutions to protect young drivers.

Join the movement

Organisations, parents, professionals and campaigners are encouraged to use, share and support the Protect Young Drivers website.

 
 
bottom of page