Scots teen killed man three weeks after passing driving test – should we have graduated licenses?

This week it was reported that Calum Anderson, 19, was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 50 months after he lost control of the work van he was driving – he drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with motorist George Mitchell. 

George, 57, was on his way to collect his daughter from school when he died in the crash on the A977 in Clackmannanshire. 

This was a truly devastating – and avoidable – incident that, in many respects, destroyed two families. 

At Irwin Mitchell in Scotland we see the life-changing trauma road collisions can have as every year we help hundreds of families rebuild their lives following traumatic road collisions. 

Which is why when upsetting incidents like the one above come to light we can’t help but wonder about what more could be done to stop the trauma happening in the first place… 

Now, officials take many steps to tackle road safety via infrastructure like speed limits, cameras, speed bumps, increased lighting, road design, pedestrian crossings… the list is endless.

But what about people safety?

It’s one thing to make roads safer but these only remain effective if road users are also mindful.

Safety campaigners Brake have long highlighted this point and campaigned for graduated driving licenses in the UK – a method already successfully adopted by other countries. 

This type of educational work would see new, young or inexperienced motorists have certain conditions in place until their experience increases.

These conditions include things like:

• Curfews – only being able to drive at certain times of the day
• Passenger limits – so vehicles are not overcrowded and drivers are less likely to be distracted within the vehicle
• Speed limits – drivers would be expected to travel at lower speeds until they have a better understanding of the behaviour of their own vehicle and other road users

I understand the reason to not have such measures in place. I understand why many people see such terms as an infringement on their freedoms.

But what about the freedom to live?

The overarching priority when it comes to road use should always be safety.

People and their families should be confident that their loved one will be safe when they travel from A to B. 

As we reflect on this heartbreaking case – and the others like it that have happened in the past – it is crucial to consider how we can prevent similar incidents in the future. 

At Irwin Mitchell we have dedicated and empathetic car accident lawyers who are always here to help Scots with their road accident claims – but it would be a far greater thing to know people don’t need to make a car crash claim at all.

For more on the reported conviction of Anderson read the BBC article here: Teenager caused fatal crash near Alloa three weeks after passing test - BBC News