Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the founder of Motoring Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following motorsport and the global automotive industry. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered Formula 1 races and automotive events at venues around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, car review, and industry analysis he writes. His work spans the full breadth of motoring — from the latest EV launches and road car reviews to the cutting edge of motorsport competition.

Freedom or safety for young drivers? UK can and must deliver both, says GEM 11/05/2026 SHARE: Images are for editorial use only. Experts gathering at Young Driver Focus in London on 13 May to press for action, not further delay Young drivers remain disproportionately at risk, with preventable deaths continuing on UK roads International evidence shows graduated driver licensing can cut crashes by up to 40% GEM Motoring Assist will return to the RAC Club, London, on 13 May as headline sponsor of Young Driver Focus 2026, renewing calls for decisive action to improve protection for newly-qualified drivers. Despite years of evidence and advocacy, the UK has yet to introduce a comprehensive system of graduated driver licensing (GDL) - a move GEM and other road safety groups say is costing young lives. GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “We are long past the point of asking whether we should act. The evidence is overwhelming, and the consequences of delay are measured in lives lost and families devastated.” GDL is a phased approach that allows new drivers to gain experience under lower-risk conditions before progressing to full driving privileges. Common measures include limits on late-night driving and restrictions on carrying same-age passengers during the months after passing the test. International research consistently shows crash reductions of between 20% and 40% where GDL systems are in place. In some regions of Canada, reductions in young driver deaths have exceeded 80%. In the UK, drivers aged 17 to 24 account for around 20% of road deaths, despite making up just 7% of licence holders. Inexperience, distraction and overconfidence remain key risk factors - precisely the issues GDL is designed to address. GEM stresses that a well-designed system supports rather than penalises young people, and a recent TRL review1 found no significant negative impact on access to education, employment or social activity. GEM supports a system that extends structured learning, reduces known high-risk conditions and allows young drivers to build skills progressively and safely. GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “We do many things well in the UK, particularly in driver training, but the current system offers too little structured support once someone passes the test. That’s where the real risk begins. “The choice is simple: continue with a system we know is failing too many young people, or take proven steps that will save lives. Doing nothing is not a neutral position - it is a decision with consequences… and Young Driver Focus offers a chance to translate the latest insight into real-world action.”

Why Every New Car Sold in Britain Must Have These 18 Safety Systems From July

From July 2026, any new car that cannot demonstrate compliance ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
Close up of hand filling up car with fuel at a UK fuel station.

Why Petrol Is Still at 157p When Wholesale Prices Should Have Brought It Down

The average price of unleaded petrol at UK forecourts stood ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
kapa65-car-headlights-235729_1280

Why That Polite Headlight Flash Now Carries A £200 Fine And Three Penalty Points

Flashing your headlights to wave another driver out of a ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
Toyota C-HR+ review

Why The Toyota C-HR Has Just Overtaken The Ford Fiesta As Britain’s Most Stolen Car

The Ford Fiesta has spent the better part of a ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
Speed camera notice for 30mph

How Police Just Tightened The Speed Awareness Course Rules Against Millions Of UK Drivers

The Speed Awareness Course, the half-day classroom session that has ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
A mechanic changes the cabin air filter of a car

Why Your Next MOT Comes With A Live Photo Of Your Car In The Test Bay

The MOT certificate you trust to keep your car legal ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
Close up of the sign and logo for the government Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Aortic Stenosis And AIDS: How DVLA Has Quietly Rewritten Its Medical Forms For 2026

The DVLA has quietly rewritten the rulebook on which medical ...
05/18/2026 By Jarrod
Honda Civic Hybrid 2026

How a New Emissions Test Just Tripled the Company Car Tax Bill on Britain’s Plug In Hybrids

A new emissions testing rule that quietly came into force ...
05/17/2026 By Jarrod
London street parking

What the New £500 EV Charger Grant Means for the 8 Million UK Drivers Without a Driveway

Drivers who rent their home, live in a flat, or ...
05/17/2026 By Jarrod
Close up of hand filling up car with fuel at a UK fuel station.

How New CMA Fines Could Save Drivers £9 a Tank as 760 Petrol Stations Refuse to Show Prices

From 1 May 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority started ...
05/17/2026 By Jarrod