A grieving father is fighting to change the law after his son was killed in a tragic car crash. Alan Knox, a paramedic from the Highlands, is urging the UK Government to give Scotland the power to introduce graduated driving licences. His plea comes as Northern Ireland prepares to launch a historic new licensing system later this year.2 Knox believes Scotland deserves the same chance to save young lives.
A Father’s Fight Born from Tragedy
This campaign is personal for Alan Knox. His life changed forever in August 2025 when his 16-year-old son, Lewis, died in a heartbreaking accident. Lewis was a talented player for Fort William Shinty Club. He was travelling with two friends, Fergus Ward and Jordan Cameron, on the A830 road between Mallaig and Arisaig.
All three teenagers lost their lives in the collision. The community in Lochaber was left devastated by the loss of such young potential. Knox has since turned his grief into action. He argues that the current system fails to protect inexperienced drivers from the dangers of the road.
“Too many families across the UK have suffered the unutterable pain of losing a child on the road,” Knox stated. He believes that strict measures for new drivers could have prevented the crash that took his son.
Northern Ireland’s Historic Shift
While Knox fights for change in Scotland, Northern Ireland is already moving forward. The country will introduce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in October 2026. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins described the move as the “most significant reform to driver licensing and testing in almost 70 years.”
The new rules in Northern Ireland are designed to protect young motorists during their most vulnerable period. The key changes include:
- Mandatory Learning Period: Learners must train for at least six months before taking a test.
- Passenger Restrictions: New drivers under 24 cannot carry more than one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11 pm and 6 am.
- Extended “R” Plates: Drivers must display “R” plates for two years instead of one.
Statistics from Northern Ireland paint a grim picture. Drivers aged 17 to 23 hold only 8% of licences but are involved in 24% of fatal or serious collisions. Kimmins noted that these changes target the specific age group most likely to be killed on the roads.
The Power Struggle: Holyrood vs. Westminster
The road to reform in Scotland is blocked by political hurdles. Driving laws are currently controlled by the UK Government in Westminster. This means the Scottish Government cannot change the rules without permission.
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop backs Knox’s campaign. She has publicly called on the UK Government to transfer the necessary powers to Holyrood. Hyslop argues that a pilot scheme in Scotland could “help save young lives and cut serious injuries.”
However, the UK Department for Transport has rejected the idea of “blanket restrictions.” A spokeswoman stated that the government wants to protect young people’s access to work and education. Instead of restrictions, they are consulting on a minimum learning period to improve driver preparation.
“It is not clear why the devolved administration at Holyrood isn’t being afforded a chance to pursue reform in this area.” — Alan Knox
The Life-Saving Evidence
Knox and other road safety advocates point to international success stories as proof that graduated licences work. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have used similar systems for years.
Global Success Stories:
| Country | Impact of Graduated Licensing |
|---|---|
| Canada | Witnessed an 80% drop in deaths among drivers aged 16-19 |
| New Zealand | Saw a 23% reduction in injury crashes for 15-19 year olds |
| Australia | Significant drop in fatal collisions involving young drivers |
Knox is calling for specific measures in Scotland that mirror these global standards. His proposed restrictions include:
- Passenger Bans: No passengers under a certain age for the first six months
- Black Box Technology: Mandatory devices to monitor speed and driving style
- Night-time Curfews: Limits on driving late at night when risks are higher
- Zero Alcohol: Absolute ban on alcohol for new drivers.
He argues that peer pressure is a deadly distraction. “A car full of excited friends can be highly distracting to those who lack experience behind the wheel,” Knox explained. He insists that young people are simply not taught how to handle adverse conditions like ice or rural roads at night.
The debate continues as the October 2026 deadline for Northern Ireland approaches. Families like the Knoxs hope that Scotland will soon follow suit before more lives are lost.
What do you think? Should Scotland ban new drivers from carrying passengers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
