Action pledge over young drivers

The summit aims to reduce the number of young deaths on roads

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has said he is prepared to take "bold action" to stop young people being killed on Scotland's roads.

His comments came following a summit on the issue in Perth.

Senior police officers have previously called for radical restrictions to be imposed on teenage drivers to reduce the death toll.

Mr Stevenson pledged to listen to ideas and take action, adding that "nothing had been ruled out at this stage".

The Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (Acpos) Young Drivers summit was held following a series of fatal accidents.

Expert group

Proposals being discussed at the meeting included restrictions on new drivers carrying passengers and a night-time curfew.

Mr Stevenson said: "Too many young people are losing their lives on Scotland's roads as a result of inexperienced or inappropriate driving.

We must take action to improve road safety and support drivers, particularly young drivers, to improve their skills Alison McInnes Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman

"There have been various ideas put forward and I am clear that nothing has been ruled out at this stage.

"I'm prepared to take bold action."

Last week, the transport minister announced a new expert group, which will advise on the issue and help produce a 10-year road safety strategy.

Figures published by Acpos showed a 30% rise in the number of under-25s killed this year.

Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Alison McInnes said: "We must take action to improve road safety and support drivers, particularly young drivers, to improve their skills."

She added: "I want to see ministers continue the programme of road improvements, particularly focusing on tackling bottlenecks and increasing safety at accident blackspots.

"I have also written to the minister for transport, urging him to consider extending the Pass Plus scheme across Scotland to support young drivers to take advanced driver training."