Campaign to stop abuse aimed at learner drivers gains momentum

A petition which calls for harsher penalties on those who abuse learner drivers and their instructors has topped 10,000 signatures. The petition is part of a campaign launched by learner driver insurer, Marmalade, on the back of a survey highlighting the levels of abuse and intimidation learner drivers face.

The survey found 99% of driving instructors have witnessed abuse directed at their pupils while 59% believe the issue has worsened since the start of the Covid pandemic. Meanwhile, 81% of learner drivers say they have experienced abuse and intimidation from other road users while driving.

The petition calls on the Government to “make disregard for the safety of drivers displaying an L-plate an aggravating factor in dangerous driving and careless driving offences”. It says “this would allow courts to impose stronger sentences on drivers who do not take sufficient precautions when driving near learner drivers”.

The petition currently has more than 10,200 signatures and has been supported by MP for Liverpool, Walton, Dan Carden. Mr Carden described the abuse learner drivers have experienced as “unacceptable” and said his constituents who have signed the petition want to see learners treated with “patience and kindness”.

The petition has also gained industry support from the ADI National Joint Council (ADINJC), the Driving Instructor Association (DIA) and insurance provider Ageas.