Graduated licences may 'prevent' deaths, mum says

Oliver Pain died in 2012, aged 18

A woman who lost her 18-year-old son in a crash says graduated licences for young drivers could "prevent another parent" going through what she experienced.

Oliver Pain, 18, died alongside his passenger, Harry Smith, 17, near North Nibley, Gloucestershire, when he crashed his car in 2012.

Becky Pain, Oliver's mum, is now calling for graduated driving licences to be introduced, which would mean young drivers could not carry passengers under the age of 25 until they have been driving for six months, or turn 20.

The Department for Transport told the BBC last week that although it is not considering graduated licences, its THINK! campaign focuses on the safety of male drivers aged 17-24.

Graduated licences already exist in Australia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, and some US states.

The UK campaign also calls for all cars to be fitted with a tool to smash a window if occupants became trapped, and for those who flout the rules to be given six penalty points.

Mrs Pain said restrictions could "save lives" and is campaigning to help other parents of young drivers.

"It's awful losing a child and if it's something I can do and somebody might listen and it prevents another parent going through what myself and my husband and my family go through, it's got to help," she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

'Time gains experience'

Mrs Pain believes there is "too much red tape" stopping graduated licences from being introduced in England.

For now, she said young drivers should not take passengers if they do not feel "comfortable or ready".

"Children are taught to drive and taught to pass their test but it's time which gains their experience on the road," she said.

"If Oliver wasn't taking that passenger, he, possibly, wouldn't have been on that road where they sadly both lost their lives.

"That we will never know but [we need to] keep both passenger and driver safe as much as we can."