The Government today put the lives of thousands of young motorists in jeopardy by rejecting a campaign for a radical overhaul of the driver licensing system.

For the past two years the Lancashire Telegraph along with key road safety agencies and a Commons select committee have fought hard for sweeping reforms.

Crucially we all wanted to see the introduction of a graduated licence scheme which would have given our young drivers a safer and more testing introduction to the rigours of our roads.

And the driving force behind the Telegraph’s Wasted Lives campaign was the appalling statistics for our under-25 motorists.

The Government has made much this week of the overall drop in driver casualties but they omitted to say that a very different picture emerges amongst the under-25s.

Figures show that: l One in eight licence holders are under 25 yet one in FOUR deaths come from this age group.

l Four people are killed or seriously injured in accidents every day involving young drivers.

l Young male motorists are one of the biggest killers of young females on the roads.

The key aims of campaigners, already common practice in countries like Australia and the United States, included a two-part driving test. After passing part one drivers would not be able to: drive on motorways without a qualified instructor, travel at over 50mph on other roads, drive a car of more than 80bhp, and (recognising the equally disturbing statistics associated with young passenger distraction) drive accompanied by anyone under the age of 25.

Other goals included strong penalties for young drivers caught speeding and/or under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or using cars which had been souped up.

Campaigners recognised that many young drivers were highly responsible but the minority culture of macho males had to be addressed – this week’s Government report has ignored this subject entirely.

The Government response in its Learning to Drive report has introduced what amounts to almost insignificant improvements and has rejected out of hand the evidence from abroad which has demonstrated a strong case for a more graduated and lengthier approach to achieving full driving rights and skills.

The whole episode beggars belief and reeks of classic Sir Humphrey-style sidestepping of reforms which, yes, would have involved a lot of hard work and administration.

And it's hard to escape the thought that the possible young voter backlash is at the heart of the Government's lily-livered response.

This was a golden opportunity to reverse the appalling young driver carnage on our roads, and to recognise the case so eloquently put forward by the parents of Matthew Hannon who was killed on an East Lancashire road racing his friend.

Shame on the Government for failing our young drivers and leaving them in harm’s way.