Committee Seeks Views of Young Drivers of Today and Tomorrow

Synopsis: The Environment Committee is seeking the views of young people as it scrutinises the Department of Environment’s Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, which proposes changes to driving age and restrictions for new drivers.

Session: 2014/2015

Date: 14 November 2014

Reference: ENV 03/14/15

The Environment Committee is seeking the views of young people as it scrutinises the Department of Environment’s Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, which proposes changes to driving age and restrictions for new drivers.

The Bill proposes lowering the age at which young people can apply for provisional licence to 16 and a half, but not allowing them to get a full licence until they are 17 and a half. The Bill would also put an end to the 45mph speed limit for learner and new drivers but restrictions on new drivers will be for 2 years, rather than one. For the six months following a test a new driver would not be allowed to carry young passengers (aged 14 to 20) without an experienced driver who was over 21 in the car (unless the young people are immediate family members).

Chairperson of the Committee Anna Lo MLA said: “The Committee knows that the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill will change the way young people will be able to drive. Because we know that there will be a significant impact on young drivers we believe that it is important that young people have an opportunity to make their views known on these proposed changes. We would urge all young people to respond to this survey before the deadline of 24 November.”

ENDS

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