AN MP has won a parliamentary debate to push the aims of the Lancashire Telegraph’s Wasted Lives campaign.

The debate has been sparked by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice following his support of the campaign which aims to cut the number of accidents involving young drivers.

Wasted Lives has proposed a number of legislative and educational reforms – including the introduction of graduated licences – in a bid to drastically reduce the number of under 25s who die in crashes each year.

This age group make up the highest proportion of road deaths, with a higher number of males dying compared to females.

The MP has won the chance to highlight the death and destruction caused by young drivers in a Commons debate next Wednesday.

He will be backed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

Mr Prentice said: “We know that some young men behind the wheel can be a menace to themselves and to others and we need to do something about it. Six times as many young male drivers age 21 or under are killed in road accidents as young women of the same age. It is a horrifying roll call of carnage."”

The MP also raised the issue in the commons this week by challenging road minister Jim Fitzpatrick over what action the Government was taking to reduce road fatality statistics.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that a proposed new qualification to be taken in schools and youth clubs, which would address the culture of being a passenger as well as the prospect of being a driver, could provide the answer.

He added: "That is very much a matter of trying to make people more mature in their approach to driving, and the qualification is very much part of preparing people for driving.

“In addition, by funda-mentally reviewing the exam, we will test whether people are able to drive, not just manoeuvre a vehicle."

The qualification and a review of the driving test are among proposals currently undergoing consultation, which will end on September 8.

Earlier this year, the Government announced a major overhaul of the learner driver system in a bid to reduce road casualties, but pulled back from introducing graduated licences.

It had been widely expected that Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly would increase the driving age to 18 and set requirements over key issues such as the number of pre-test hours drivers had to spend behind the wheel.

But the apparent policy change prompted calls to step up the campaign for tougher measures to protect young drivers.