New driving law changes could be introduced to crack down on motorists unlicensed motorists as the Government looks to improve road safety across the country.
Will Stone MP introduced the Road Traffic (unlicensed drivers) Bill earlier this week following calls from constituents to launch new rules in response to a devastating incident.
In November 2022, 14-year-old Harry Parker was hit and killed by a car when he was going to school. The driver did not have a licence or insurance and failed to stop at the scene.
Despite this, the Crown Prosecution Service told Harry’s family that it would not be moving ahead with charges, prompting the call for changes to be made.
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New legislation has been put forward to crack down on unlicensed motorists who kill people when driving
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The Bill would look to make it a specific criminal offence if someone causes death while driving without a licence or insurance.
Stone, the Labour MP for Swindon North, referred to the Bill as the Harry Parker Bill in the Commons and said the law in its current form was “failing”.
He said: “A person who does not hold a valid licence has no business being behind the wheel of a car. And when they do so, they put lives at risk.
“I cannot bring back Harry, nor can I give Adam and Kelly the justice that they deserve. No legislation, no speech, no court ruling will ever be able to ease their pain. What we must do is ensure that no other family has to endure what they have been through.”
He said the Bill would close “dangerous gaps” in the legal system, with those choosing to drive without a valid licence set to be deemed as being careless.
According to Sky News, the Harry Parker Bill will be included in the new Road Safety Strategy as it is rare for a Ten Minute Rule Bill to become law.
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said measures would be laid out for new road safety reforms, with a national strategy expected to be introduced for the first time in a decade.
Data from the Department for Transport estimates that unlicensed drivers are responsible for almost 10 per cent of all motoring offences.
A growing number of experts and campaigners have called on the Government to make changes to the system of licensing for the benefit of road safety.
This includes calls for new Graduated Driving Licences which would place restrictions on people who have recently passed their test, with an emphasis on young motorists being safe on the roads.
Potential restrictions include a curfew between the hours of 11pm and 4am, a ban on carrying same-age passengers for at least 18 months and a ban on driving with any alcohol in their system.
The Government has ruled out introducing Graduated Driving Licences at present, but said it would unveil plans to improve road safety in the near future.
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Experts have called for more to be done to ensure young motorists are safe when they begin driving independently
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The Department for Transport said: “Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Harry Parker.
“The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the number of those killed and injured on our roads.”
