THOMPSONS SOLICITORS BACKS CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE ACCIDENT RATES
Scotland’s leading accident law firm, and safety campaigners, Thompsons Solicitors, are backing calls from MSPs and campaigners to introduce new regulations to curb the number of accidents on Scotland’s roads.
The firm also called on politicians to come together and do everything possible to curb the macho driving culture which puts so many people at risk on Scotland’s roads.
The call comes after MSPs debated the issue of introducing a Graduated Drivers Licence Scheme for new drivers last night. The scheme, which has been successfully introduced in other countries like New Zealand, Australia and the USA, would see restrictions placed on new drivers for a period until they qualify for a full licence.
Restrictions proposed would be on the number and age of passengers that can be in the car and that the driver would not be allowed to consume alcohol.
Partner at Thompsons Solicitors’ Aberdeen office, which covers the North and North East, Chris Gordon, said:
“At Thompsons Solicitors we witness first hand some of the tragedies that can happen on our roads. Every possible step must be taken to avoid them.
“For some drivers there is a clear macho driving culture which leads to increased risk taking. This has to stop - it’s not only putting the drivers themselves at risk but everyone else as well.
“Our politicians, whether they be MSPs or MPs need to take this issue seriously and come together to get something done about it. We need to act on this sooner rather than later.
“A Graduated Drivers Licence Scheme has been successful elsewhere and should be implemented here.
“Setting boundaries for new drivers would help them develop confidence with their vehicle and would curb the risk taking on our roads. It has a wide variety of benefits and we should be looking to find any way to make sure it happens here.
“Thompsons helps a number of victims of road traffic accidents get the support they need to get their lives back on track.
“Every accident on Scotland’s roads is a tragedy and everything that can be done, should be done to avoid it.”
