Changes to driving laws ‘limited’ says Durham PCC Joy Allen

Its road safety strategy, billed as the first of its kind in more than a decade, was announced today (January 7), including the potential for learner drivers to have to wait six months to take a test and cutting the drink-drive limit.

But graduated driving licence (GDL), which would bar new drivers under 21 from carrying passengers of a similar age for six months, is not one of the measures subject to consultation.

Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said plans to improve road safety had ‘limitations’ as she doubled down on calls for GDLs.

She said: “This strategy is long overdue, but I believe it is a turning point – and will save lives.

“I am pleased the Government has listened to the voices and experiences of grieving families, experts and campaigners in pushing forward the important safety measures we’ve been highlighting for some time.

“These painfully lived experiences continue to serve as a catalyst for change.

“However, there are limitations in what we’ve heard, and I believe the Government must do even more.”

She backed ‘compelling’ calls for Graduate Driving Licences for newly qualified drivers, a key demand of families campaigning for change after losing loved ones on the roads, including Karen and John Rowlands, from Consett.

Andrew Rowlands, from Consett, was killed in a crash aged 18 in 2020.

Their son, eighteen-year-old Andrew, was killed when the 4×4 he was in flipped and crashed on the A692 in June 2020.

It was driven by then 17-year-old Dylan Brunton who fled the scene along with the two other passengers following the crash.

The dangerous vehicle he was a passenger in did not have an MOT and had been bought the day before for just £100.

Andrew’s parents have spent the years since calling for tighter restrictions on newly qualified and younger drivers.

John and Karen said in December 2024: “Our only son, Andrew John Rowlands, tragically had his life taken on 18th June 2020 at the hands of an underaged, inexperienced and unlicensed cowardly teenage driver. The car was ruled unroadworthy and a dangerous vehicle.

“As details of this horrific tragedy started to unfold, we as law abiding citizens, were horrified by the fact the driver was able to buy a car less than 24 hours before from social media website Facebook for £100 cash without the need to produce any ID or a driving licence.

“Since that day, we have been campaigning to raise awareness of this loophole, in the hope we could avoid any further tragedies of this nature.”

The government’s new strategy includes consultations on a minimum learning period for drivers, lowering the drink-drive limit, and mandatory eyesight tests for those over 70.

It also proposes the use of alcohol interlock devices, new powers to suspend licences for suspected drink or drug drivers, and the creation of a Road Safety Investigation Branch.

Ms Allen warned action must be backed by resources, saying: “The ultimate success of the Government’s ambitions depends on sustained investment, without which little can change.”