A North MSP has called for all new drivers to display a P plate on their car as part of a long-running road safety campaign.
Scottish Labour Transport Spokesperson and local road safety campaigner David Stewart has indicated that he is willing to compromise over his graduated licence scheme initiative for new drivers, in an effort to make our roads safer.
But the call is a compromise from his original aim, six years ago, to introduce a far-reaching licence scheme for young and new drivers.
He said: “I want our young people to be mobile and able to do all they can within their capabilities, but I also want them to be safe. However, last year I compromised and indicated that I would be happy if we started off with three steps in relation to making driving and our young drivers safer. I proposed a mandatory display of a ‘P’ plate on a new drivers car for the first six months after they pass their test. I suggested as near a zero alcohol limit as possible and finally I suggested we look at some measure of control over the number and age of passengers new drivers could carry in their cars.”
“ As we start 2016, we have read of young driver fatalities already. I propose now that we introduce at least one of my original initiative elements and that is the ‘P’ plate.”
“The Probationary Driving Initiative (PDI) will focus on the mandatory display of a ‘P’ plate on a new drivers car.”
“I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Transport once again urging him to make it mandatory that all new drivers, irrespective of their age, display a ‘P’ plate on their vehicle for the first six months after they pass their test.
“This measure alone will allow all other road users to be aware that the driver of such a vehicle is a probationary driver and they will be encouraged to have patience and employ mature driver responsibility towards such a driver, similar to that afforded to a driver driving a vehicle with ‘L’ plates.
“Failure to display a ‘P’ plate could have a three point penalty and a fine. In relation to young drivers, we know that if you secure six points in your first two years of driving you lose your licence and go back to being a learner.”