Coroner calls for tighter rules for young new drivers

Stricter rules for newly qualified young drivers are being called for after a teenager was killed when the car he was travelling in hit a tree.

Paul Green died from head injuries in the crash in Emsworth Common Road, Westbourne, near Chichester, West Sussex, on 27 November 2024.

The coroner who held the inquest into his death cited the inexperience of the vehicle's 17-year-driver, who had recently passed her test, as the likely reason she lost control of the vehicle, and he called on the Department for Transport (DfT) this week to act so as to prevent future deaths.

A DfT spokesperson said there would be no "blanket restrictions on new drivers", but focus on better pre-test preparation.

In his report released on Wednesday, Gareth Jones, assistant coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, said: "Paul Green was a rear side passenger in a car, the driver of which failed to appropriately negotiate a right hand bend, leading to it colliding with a tree and rolling onto its roof.

"The collision with the tree caused Green to suffer fatal head injuries.

"The driver had recently passed her test and her inexperience likely contributed to the actions she took.

"Green not having been wearing a seat belt may also have contributed to his death," he added.

The driver, another 17-year-old girl and a second 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.

Jones said that he also heard evidence during the inquest that, as in this case, the presence of other teenagers in the car, none of whom appeared to have driving experience, was "a factor in a number of collisions".

He added: "I am concerned that when 17-year-olds pass a driving test they can drive on any road in the UK, including motorways, without any adult supervision.

"I believe this current state of affairs is likely to lead to further fatal collisions if it remains unaddressed."

The DfT spokesperson said: "This was a tragic incident and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Paul's family.

"We want to keep young people safe while supporting their access to work, education and social opportunities, which is why we're not introducing blanket restrictions on new drivers.

"Instead, through our new Road Safety Strategy, we're focusing on better preparation before the test, including consulting on a minimum learning periods."

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