Grieving father calls for Scotland to pursue driving licence reform
A grieving father, whose son was one of three teenagers tragically killed in a car crash, is urgently appealing to Westminster to give Scotland the power to introduce graduated licensing. Alan Knox is pressing the UK Government to offer Scotland the same opportunity it is offering Northern Ireland, which will introduce its new licensing system later this year.
Paramedic Mr Knox launched his campaign following the death of his son Lewis last year. Lewis, a player for the Fort William Shinty Club, was among three teenagers from Lochaber killed in the collision on the A830 between Mallaig and Arisaig in the Highlands.
Northern Ireland’s infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins, praised the change, due from October 2026, as “the most significant reform to driver licensing and testing in almost 70 years”. Unveiling the plan earlier this year, he said: “These changes target young drivers, who are unfortunately the most likely to be killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Mr Knox had raised the critical issue with Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, who reiterated her call for the UK Government to “give Scotland the powers needed to introduce progressive driving licences”. Ms Hyslop added that such measures “can help save young lives and reduce serious injuries” on roads.
The campaigning father noted the widespread impact of such tragedies and said: “Too many families in the UK have experienced the indescribable pain of losing their child on the road.” Noting international evidence, he argued: “The international evidence clearly shows that graduated driving licenses work and reduce the likelihood of fatal crashes involving young people.”
Mr Knox questioned the inequality and added: “While Northern Ireland has put forward a pilot project, I urge the UK Government to give Scotland the same opportunity. It is not clear why the devolved administration at Holyrood has not been given the chance to reform in this area.”
Mr Knox advocates several special measures, including banning newly licensed drivers from carrying teenage passengers for six months after they pass their test, as he believes it could ease peer pressure. He also supports installing black box devices in new drivers’ cars to monitor speed and driving style, as well as temporary restrictions on late-night driving.
He explained his reasoning: “Young people are not taught to drive fast on rural roads at night and in adverse driving conditions such as ice and snow. A car full of excited friends can be quite distracting for those without experience behind the wheel.”
It concluded: “It makes sense to impose reasonable restrictions on new drivers. License plates to advise other road users, limits on late-night driving and passenger numbers, a no-alcohol rule and other measures can reduce fatal errors.” Citing international examples, he noted: “Systems in other countries speak for themselves. Canada witnessed a more than 80% reduction in driver fatalities among 16 to 19-year-olds following the introduction of graduated licences. Similar reductions were also observed in New Zealand and Australia.”
However, a Department for Transport spokesman pointed out a different approach from the UK Government. “We want to keep young people safe while supporting their access to work, education and social opportunities.”
He explained the ministry’s position: “We therefore do not impose general restrictions on new drivers, such as limits on passengers or night driving. Instead, we focus on better preparation before the test, including counseling on the minimum learning period.” The ministry confirmed it is currently consulting on a minimum learning period to give young people more time to develop basic driving skills.
