Road Safety Bill [HL]

I thank members of the Committee for their remarks as much as I thank the Minister, although I am sorry that he is unable to accept the amendment. As indicated, the anomaly concerning young drivers obtains here as much as it does everywhere else. In this country 17 to 21 year-olds represent 7 per cent of the driving population, although, as I recently quoted, they comprise 13 per cent of drivers involved in collisions. The current Bill certainly provides a good opportunity to address this anomaly and to improve the safety record of young drivers. There are a variety of individual and combination remedies. These include graduated classes of provisional licences, a dissuasion of newly qualified drivers from carrying passengers, the prescription of a lower alcohol limit than for others and a requirement to display a distinguishing mark on vehicles. I hope very much that some such measures will be introduced. I agree very much with my noble friend Lady Gardner of Parkes that pilot schemes could well be the best facilitators and the best way forward. Meanwhile, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 26 [Disqualification until test is passed]: On Question, Whether Clause 26 shall stand part of the Bill?