Recurring concern

Insufficient controls on young and newly qualified drivers carrying young passengers

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First reported 17 Oct 2024•Latest report 8 Dec 2025

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes licensing, restriction, supervision or comparable safeguards specifically addressing young or newly qualified drivers carrying young passengers and the associated peer-influence or vehicle-loading risk.

Not included

Young-driver telematics or black-box monitoring, which is a separately supported control.
General driver education, practical experience or rural-road hazards where young-passenger carriage is not the deficient control.
General passenger or road-safety concerns without a young or newly qualified driver context.

Reports: 5
Individual concerns: 5
Date range: 2024–2025
Stated actions: 2

Reports over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

Department for Transport5

Association of British Insurers1

Brake1

Chartered Insurance Institute1

Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation1

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency1

Financial Conduct Authority1

Gwynedd Council1

Recipient name withheld1

Snap Group Limited1

Concerns and responses across reports

Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

8 Dec2025
Coventry and Warwickshire
Concerns raised1
1. Failure of licensing arrangements to address combined inexperience, peer presence and full vehicle loading
This report raised 18 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response 2
1. Action
  Release previously undertaken research on stronger licensing measures for young and newly qualified drivers.
  Stated by Brake, the road-safety charityStated planned
2. Action
  Advocate to government for young and novice driver safety measures, including progressive licensing, through the Road Safety Strategy.
  Stated by The ABIStated in progress
Respondent positions 1
1. Position
  Further restrictions on newly qualified drivers, including passenger or nighttime limits, are not currently being considered.
  Stated by Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards AgencyNo action considered necessary
AI-generated summary

Harry Joseph Purcell and Matilda (Tilly) Grace Seccombe · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Harry Joseph Purcell and Matilda (Tilly) Grace Seccombe sustained fatal injuries in a single-vehicle collision on 21 April 2023, when a recently qualified 17-year-old driver travelled at excessive speed on a rural road and lost control. The report raised concerns about the combined risks of driver inexperience, peer passengers, vehicle loading and rural-road conditions, as well as issues concerning driver licensing, insurance oversight, unsafe-driving content shared on Snapchat and the lack of coordinated responses to unsafe behaviour.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure of licensing arrangements to address combined inexperience, peer presence and full vehicle loading
Wider context from the report
“1. The inquest noted that newly qualified drivers may carry multiple peer-age passengers immediately after passing their test. This case suggests that inexperience, peer presence and full vehicle loading can combine to elevate risk, and it is unclear how current licensing arrangements address these combined factors. ”
Source location
Harry Joseph Purcell and Matilda (Tilly) Grace Seccombe · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 3 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Release previously undertaken research on stronger licensing measures for young and newly qualified drivers.

Verbatim wording from the response
“We have long campaigned for stronger licensing measures to protect young and newly qualified drivers, and this remains one of our organisational priorities. We partner with the Protect Young Drivers campaign, and we will shortly be releasing research undertaken last year on this issue. I will ensure a copy is shared with you once published.”

Source location
Response from Brake
Page 1 · response
Published 18 December 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Advocate to government for young and novice driver safety measures, including progressive licensing, through the Road Safety Strategy.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The primary purpose of motor insurance is to provide financial protection to vehicle owners for damage caused to their own vehicle, or damage or injury they cause to others. A minimum of third-party motor insurance is a legal requirement to drive on UK roads. The ABI is actively engaging with its insurer members through our Motor Insurance Roadmap to support young drivers, and we continue to advocate for progressive policy change at the government level. We strongly welcome the Government’s recent Road Safety Strategy and endorse several key measures designed to protect young drivers, as well as the wider public. The motor insurance industry also invests in and advocates for improved road safety to prevent accidents from occurring. This includes:”

Source location
Response from The ABI Together Driving Change
Page 3 · response
Published 18 December 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Further restrictions on newly qualified drivers, including passenger or nighttime limits, are not currently being considered.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Whilst we are not considering further restrictions on newly qualified drivers such as carrying passengers or driving at night, we are consulting on a Minimum Learning Period in England, Scotland, and Wales before learner drivers can take their practical driving test.”

Source location
Response from Department for Transport and DVSA
Page 2 · response
Published 18 December 2025
Open published response
14 Mar2025
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
1. Inexperienced drivers carrying young passengers during the first six months after passing their driving test
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions 1
1. Position
  Graduated Driving Licences are not being considered, although young driver safety is being addressed through existing restrictions and the THINK! campaign.
  Stated by Department for TransportNo action considered necessary
AI-generated summary

William Owen RADFORD · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

William Owen RADFORD died on 13 June 2024 from fatal injuries sustained after losing control of his vehicle and being struck by an oncoming vehicle while driving on the A281 Brighton Road. He had only recently passed his driving test and was carrying a young passenger. The inquest heard that distraction from another young person could increase the risk of an accident for an inexperienced driver, amid public concern about young-passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Inexperienced drivers carrying young passengers during the first six months after passing their driving test
Wider context from the report
“This Inquest concerned the death of a young man (aged 17) who had only just passed his driving test a few weeks before his death. At the time of his death he was driving his car accompanied by a young friend, also aged 17. I heard evidence that where an inexperienced driver has a distraction of another young person in the car this can increase their risk of having an accident. There is currently ongoing public concern that inexperienced drivers are able to carry young passengers within the first six months of having passed their test. ”
Source location
William Owen RADFORD · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 1 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Graduated Driving Licences are not being considered, although young driver safety is being addressed through existing restrictions and the THINK! campaign.

Verbatim wording from the response
“In Britain, there is a form of restricting novice drivers through the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. On acquiring their first full licence, a new driver is on ‘probation’ for two years. During this time, they are subject to a limit of six penalty points received for any driving offences (including any received when in the learning stage). If six or more points are received, then a driver loses their full licence and must apply again for a provisional licence, and then re-take both their theory and practical test.”

Source location
Response from Department for Transport
Page 2 · response
Published 17 March 2025
Open published response
13 Jan2025
West Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
1. Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young passengers
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions 1
1. Position
  Graduated driving licences are not being considered as a response to disproportionate risks affecting young drivers.
  Stated by Department for TransportNo action considered necessary
AI-generated summary

Joseph Samuel Walsh and Tobias Crowther Barraclough · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Joseph Samuel Walsh was driving a car carrying four passengers after alcohol and cocaine had been consumed when the vehicle collided with a wall on 20 October 2023. Joseph died at the scene, and Tobias Crowther Barraclough later died from his injuries on 12 November 2023; the surviving passengers were injured. The report raises concerns about the absence of legal restrictions on young or newly qualified drivers and the carrying of young passengers in circumstances such as these.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young passengers
Wider context from the report
“• Currently there are no legal restrictions upon the licences of young and /or newly qualified drivers and the current vehicle licensing regime permits the carrying of young persons as passengers in circumstances such as these • Young drivers may be more likely to be involved in a collision with similar aged passengers in the car. • I would ask you to consider the appropriateness of reviewing the current provisions since I am concerned that there will be further like tragic deaths. ”
Source location
Joseph Samuel Walsh and Tobias Crowther Barraclough · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Graduated driving licences are not being considered as a response to disproportionate risks affecting young drivers.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads. As work progresses on the new road safety strategy, we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers.”

Source location
Response from Department of Transport
Page 2 · response
Published 15 January 2025
Open published response
13 Jan2025
West Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
1. Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young persons as passengers in these circumstances
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
AI-generated summary

Joseph Samuel WALSH · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Joseph was driving on Brow Lane on 20 October 2023 when his vehicle collided with a wall, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The report raises concerns about the absence of legal restrictions on young or newly qualified drivers and the carrying of young passengers, noting the potential for further similar deaths.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young persons as passengers in these circumstances
Wider context from the report
“Joseph was aged 18 at the time of his death following the collision and had passed his driving test in May 2023. This was five months prior to the collision. At the time of the collision, he was legally carrying 5 young friends. Currently there are no legal restrictions upon the licences of young and /or newly qualified drivers and the current vehicle licensing regime permits the carrying of young persons as passengers in circumstances such as these Young drivers may be more likely to be involved in a collision with similar aged passengers in the car. I would ask you to consider the appropriateness of reviewing the current provisions since I am concerned that there will be further like tragic deaths. ”
Source location
Joseph Samuel WALSH · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 1 · concerns
Open source report
17 Oct2024
North West Wales
Concerns raised1
1. Vehicle licensing regime permitting young passengers to be carried by young and newly qualified drivers
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
AI-generated summary

Wilfred John Fitchett and 3 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

On 19 November 2023, a vehicle carrying four young men left the A4085, entered a water-filled drainage ditch and all four died from drowning; the vehicle was found on 21 November 2023. The report raises concerns about the absence of legal restrictions on young or newly qualified drivers carrying young passengers and the risk of further deaths in similar circumstances.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Vehicle licensing regime permitting young passengers to be carried by young and newly qualified drivers
Wider context from the report
“b. Currently, there are no legal restrictions upon the licences of young and/or newly qualified drivers and the current vehicle licensing regime permits the carrying of young persons as passengers in circumstances such as these. c. It is noted that young drivers are exponentially more likely to be involved in a collision with each similar aged passengers in the car. d. I am concerned that deaths will continue to occur or will occur into the future where younger persons are carried in motor vehicles being driven by newly qualified and/or young drivers. ”
Source location
Wilfred John Fitchett and 3 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report

Data last updated 7 September 2026

What this concern includes

Not included

Reports over time

Concerns raised1

Failure of licensing arrangements to address combined inexperience, peer presence and full vehicle loading

Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

Concerns raised1

Inexperienced drivers carrying young passengers during the first six months after passing their driving test

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

Concerns raised1

Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young passengers

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

Concerns raised1

Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young persons as passengers in these circumstances

Concerns raised1

Vehicle licensing regime permitting young passengers to be carried by young and newly qualified drivers

Actions described in response 2

Respondent positions 1

Respondent positions 1

Respondent positions 1