I lost my 16-year-old son in a crash - there should be stricter rules for young drivers

A grieving father is campaigning for stricter regulations to be put in place for young people who have just passed their driving test.

Alan Knox's 16-year-old son Lewis was one of three teenagers who died when the car they were travelling in crashed in the Highlands in August 2025.

Now the paramedic wants to see newly qualified drivers banned from carrying young passengers for six months after they have passed their test - arguing this could help reduce peer pressure some drivers feel when carrying friends in their car.

The UK government said it would not introduce blanket restrictions on young drivers but would focus on better preparation before they pass their test.

Lewis and his friends, Fergus Ward and Jordan Cameron, both 17, died in the crash on the A830 between Mallaig and Arisaig.

A minute's silence was held for the teenagers at a number of shinty games across the Highlands.

Knox has met Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop who called on the UK government to give Scotland the powers needed to pilot graduated driving licences.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast he said the fatal crash was an "unfortunate accident".

"They were all talented young boys, and unfortunately on a rural road the vehicle lost control and all three were killed which was devastating to all three families, friends of the boys, and the whole of the community," he added.

"Now we are really looking at stepping up what we can do in Scotland to protect younger drivers."

Knox believes introducing restrictions to young drivers after they have passed their test would allow them to build up potentially life-saving experience - especially on rural roads.

"Once somebody passes their driving test they have that learning period to allow them to gain experience, experience on rural roads, in the dark, in the wet, and in the ice," he said.

"This is how we can keep young people safe.

"I would personally like to see restrictions on having passengers in the vehicle for a year but even six months is a step.

"Graduated driving licenses are nothing new. Canada, Australia and New Zealand have seen a reduction in those seriously injured in road traffic accidents by having them in place."

Knox said he has already had a "constructive meeting" with the Scottish transport secretary on the issue of graduated driving licences being introduced.

But with powers over driver licences held by Westminster, he urged the UK government to "consider a change in the law across the UK".

Failing that, he said the authorities should give Scotland "the powers it needs to choose its own path".

He said: "The Scottish government would like to do everything they possibly can, but at this time the UK government will not grant the powers to even run it as a pilot scheme to see that it makes a difference in reducing fatalities in younger drivers."

The transport secretary said she was "grateful to meet Mr Knox and hear his views around road safety", adding that the "loss of his son, Lewis, and his son's friends, has been devastating to Alan and to other friends and family close to them".

Hyslop added: "Young drivers remain at the highest risk on our roads, with those in their first year of driving 20% more likely to be involved in a collision. The Scottish government is determined to reduce these risks."

She said: "While UK ministers published their road safety strategy in January 2026, its plans do not go far enough.

"As such, I continue to press for progress and ensure we take action to enhance young driver safety, including the delivery of national behaviour change campaigns focused on young drivers."

A department for transport spokesperson said: "We want to keep young people safe on the roads while continuing to support their access to work, education and social opportunities.

"That's why we're not introducing blanket restrictions on newly qualified drivers, such as limits on passengers or night-time driving.

"Instead, we're focusing on better preparation before young people pass their test, including consulting on a minimum learning period."