19 May 2010

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has welcomed Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson’s pledge to hold a national debate to prevent young people from dying on Scotland’s roads.

Mr Stewart wrote to Mr Stevenson after being contacted by an Inverness constituent who is alarmed at the number of young people in the North involved in serious accidents.

He suggested introducing measures to compel young drivers who have just passed their test to display the ‘P’ plate on their vehicle for 90 days after successfully passing their test.

Mr Stewart also suggested the introduction of measures which would compel such drivers to attend a one day Pass Plus driving course.

In his reply Mr Stevenson said the Government had issued a document, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, which sets out its plans to reduce the number of fatalities and serious
injuries in road accidents.

He added: "As part of delivering the Road Safety Framework, we intend to hold a national debate with young drivers, their parents and guardians and representative groups to identify solutions to help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in this vulnerable group.

"We are keen to hear what young people have to say about the issues, including the question of graduated licences, and to get them involved in improving road safety for this group.

"Where there is a strong argument that restrictions on newly qualified drivers would help to reduce deaths and serious injuries, we will lobby the UK Government to ask them to consider specific restrictions."

Mr Stewart said: "I welcome Mr Stevenson’s commitment to hold a national debate about such a major issue affecting young people.

"If the views of all those taking part are properly considered then hopefully we can reduce the number of young people dying on our roads."

Mr Stewart has also written to the Chief Constables of Grampian Police and Northern Constabulary, the Chief Executives of Highland and Moray Council on this issue.