Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is set to renew pressure on ministers to introduce graduated driving licences to save lives.

PCC Allen, will join MPs and bereaved families in London next month to rally for the introduction of graduated driving licences to better protect young and novice drivers.

The PCC has offered full backing to families from the Forget-me-not Families Uniting (FFU) group, who are campaigning for urgent measures including graduated driving licences (GDL) for newly qualified drivers to slash the high number of young driver deaths in the UK.

Graduated licensing schemes are already used in some countries and generally restrict drivers under 21 from driving at night or carrying peers for six months. This approach helps limit exposure to high-risk situations and has been shown to reduce fatalities by up to 40 per cent.

The parliamentary drop-in meeting, organised by Northampton South MP Mike Reader, is set to take place on June 5.

It will see leading experts in young driver risk, national media and representatives from road safety charities Brake and RoadPeace joining families to discuss evidence-led measures to reduce harm and save lives and show solidarity with campaigning families.

Safer roads – a top public priority in Durham – is a ‘key pillar’ in the commissioner’s new Police, Crime and Justice Plan.

The PCC is working with national decision makers to bring reform and change in her role as joint lead of roads policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

Among other road safety pledges, PCC Allen has promised to adopt a public health approach to education and awareness, including public campaigns to promote safe driving and address crimes that cause death and serious injury on the region’s roads.

It focuses on the ‘fatal four’ – speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, using hand-held mobile phones and drink/drug driving.

She is also campaigning for tougher regulations to avoid the sale of cars to illegal drivers, whether they are banned or underage, expressing her shock that young drivers can still purchase illegal and unroadworthy vehicles without compulsory checks following tragedies in Durham and beyond.

PCC Allen said: “The number of young and inexperienced drivers killed on our roads is unacceptable and something I refuse to take lying down.

We must continue to use every tool in the book to protect further potential victims and their families and indeed all road users by eliminating unnecessary risk”.

“Lives are at stake here, and if a simple tweak in law through the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences can avert just one serious injury or fatality, then surely it has to be worth it.

No family should ever experience the devastation of losing a loved one through a preventable tragedy, and I am deeply moved by the courage and strength shown by all bereaved families in fighting for these important changes.

I will do absolutely everything in my power to see that their demands are actioned.”