Father calls for driving licence change after son’s death in car crash

A paramedic whose son was killed in a car crash is calling for restrictions to be placed on newly qualified drivers, insisting the change could help save lives.

Alan Knox has already had a “constructive meeting” with Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop on the issue of graduated driving licences being introduced.

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”.

Mr Knox made the plea after the death of his son Lewis last year. He was one of three teenagers from Lochaber killed in a car crash on the A830 road between Mallaig and Arisaig in the Highlands in August 2025.

Speaking after meeting the Transport Secretary to make the case for changes, the father said: “It’s too late for Lewis but we can act to save the lives of young people in years to come.”

Following the death of his son, who played for Fort William Shinty Club, Mr Knox said he had become convinced that “things just can’t go on the way they are”, insisting change is “desperately” needed to the way driving licences operate.

He 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 paramedic also supports fitting black box devices to the cars of new drivers, to monitor their speed, driving style and the hours they are driving – with a further temporary restriction on driving late at night for new motorists.

Mr Knox said: “I’m glad to have had a constructive meeting with the Transport Secretary and officials from Transport Scotland about graduated driving licences, which I sincerely believe would save lives.

“Having been in the ambulance service for four decades I have always known how vulnerable younger people are to incidents on the road.

“The death of my son, Lewis, convinced me that things just can’t go on the way they are. We desperately need change.”

He insisted that for newly qualified teenage drivers having a “car full of excited friends can be highly distracting” and could increase the chances of an accident.

The father continued: “It makes sense to place reasonable limits on new drivers who are still learning for many months after they pass their tests.

“Plates to advise other road users, limits on late night driving and passenger numbers, a no alcohol rule, and other measures can reduce fatal mistakes.”

Noting that similar systems have been brought in in other countries, Mr Knox said: “Canada witnessed a more than 80% reduction in deaths in 16 to 19-year-old drivers after it brought in graduated driving licences.

“Similar, stark reductions in serious incidents have been observed in New Zealand and Australia.

“I urge the UK Government to consider a change in the law across the UK. At the very least, UK officials must give the Scottish Parliament the powers it needs to choose its own path.”

He already has the backing of his local MSP, deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who said there have been “far too many serious and fatal incidents involving younger drivers” in her Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency.

Ms Forbes said: “Young drivers are most vulnerable, especially in areas like the Highlands.

“Anything that we can do as legislators to reduce deaths on our roads is worth considering. Every statistic represents a real person – a young life cut short, a family left grieving, and a community changed forever.

“Alan’s campaign for change is inspired not only by devastating personal tragedy in his family but his professional experience as an ambulance operational area manager and paramedic in the Highlands.

“His desire for a graduated driving licence system is clearly argued, and well-evidenced. This measure would help protect newly qualified drivers during their highest risk period, after passing their driving test.

“I’m happy to support Alan in raising awareness of his campaign for change and would call on the UK Government to grant Scotland decision-making powers in this area if it won’t heed calls for change.”

Ms Hyslop said she had “called on the UK Government to give Scotland the powers needed to pilot graduated driving licences”, saying these could “help save young lives and cut serious injuries”.

She added: “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.”

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”.

Ms Hyslop continued: “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.”

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.”