Licence-change call after crash deaths goes to MPs

Crystal Owen, whose son was one of four teenagers killed in a crash last year, took her campaign to parliament

The mother of one of four teenagers killed in a crash in north Wales last year has taken her campaign for restrictions on young drivers to politicians in Westminster.

Crystal Owen, from Shrewsbury, wants graduated licences for new qualifiers, to include a minimum learning period, restrictions on passenger numbers and rules around driving at night.

Her son Harvey, 17, died with friends Jevon Hirst, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris after their car overturned on the A4085 in Gwynedd, in November.

Ms Owen met roads minister Guy Opperman and shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh, and said she felt she had "been heard".

Graduated licences are used in other countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia.

Although the UK Government has said it has no current plans to follow suit, Ms Owen told BBC Breakfast Mr Opperman agreed to consider them alongside other road safety measures.

She said: "We know that [the other measures] won't be as effective. We know that the graduated licence is proven. I know this law would have saved Harvey and many others."

Harvey Owen's mother Crystal hoped that her campaign would allow him to help others after his death

Ms Owen also met Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh.

"She said that they'd be keen to get a group of experts together to look at how it could be implemented with minimal impact on young people," Ms Owen said.

Campaigners, including the road safety charity Brake, say they have helped reduce serious road accidents involving young drivers.

Crystal Owen met shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh

The opening of an inquest into the deaths of the four teenagers in November heard they were travelling in a car along the A4085 in Garreg when their silver Ford Fiesta left the road.

The car was later found partially submerged in water nearby.

A full hearing will take place later to consider the results of a police investigation into the deaths.