WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2007

MS JOOLS TOWNSEND, MS BRENDA PUECH AND MRS JAN BERRY

  Q60  Chairman: That is extremely helpful for us and we are very grateful to you all. It is always encouraging to have your advice. In the end, would it not be better to target unsafe driving behaviour, like speeding and drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt, through more traffic law enforcement rather than spending resources introducing a new regime for novice drivers?

  Ms Puech: That is the view of RoadPeace.

  Q61  Chairman: We assume Mrs Berry has a mild vested in the reply but what about you, Ms Townsend?

  Ms Townsend: We would like to see a combination of those measures. We would like to see increased investment in traffic policing, compulsory road safety education in schools, and a graduated driving licensing system. In terms of investment, I think it is worth bearing in mind that every road death costs the economy £1.4 million.

  Q62  Chairman: As you know, Ms Townsend, nobody in this country does that sort of calculation. Nobody does read across calculations as to what road deaths cost us, which is extraordinary but we do not. Mrs Berry, can we have your views?

  Mrs Berry: I do have an interest and I accept that, but I do not think road policing on its own is going to solve the problem either. I think you have to have a holistic approach and to look at different partners working together and importantly an education system. Graduated licensing will have its part to play but, if we do that, then really you are going to have rules also that people have to carry their driving licence because it would make enforcement extremely difficult without that.

  Chairman: On that very sensible note, we will take our next set of witnesses. Thank you very much to all of you.