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.”

How DVSA Data Reveals Which Driving Test Centres Give You the Best Odds

DVSA's own test volume data shows rural driving test centres ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
Diesel being pumped into car at petrol station

Every UK Driver Faces Two More Fuel Duty Rises Worth 4p by March 2027

Fuel duty is rising for the first time in 15 ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod

Newcastle Drivers Paid £3.7 Million in Parking Enforcement as Council Income Jumps 23 Percent

Newcastle City Council's parking income reached £13,965,353 in 2025-26, up ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
Hatchback parked on street in disabled parking bay

Coventry Drivers Paid £5.4 Million in Parking Charges as Council Surplus Jumps 80 Percent

Coventry City Council's combined parking and bus lane surplus rose ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
Mechanic inspecting a car

What Your Rights Actually Are When a Garage Overcharges or Botches a Repair

If you agreed a price or quote before the work, ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
Close up of a damaged Hatchback on a Suburban Street. minor damage.

£625 Million of Detected Motor Fraud Costs Honest Drivers, ABI Figures Show

Insurers detected 51,900 fraudulent motor claims worth £625 million in ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
How Does Tire Pressure Affect Fuel Economy?

How to Check Tyre Pressure Correctly (and Find the Right Number)

Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, using a ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
Modern electric car charging on city street

What a Rate Rising to 9 Percent Means for Every Electric Company Car Driver

Company car tax on a pure electric car is set ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
(11)MaseratiMC20Iris_dedicatedsteeringwheel_threestripecentralmark

What a Sudden Heavy Steering Wheel Actually Means for Your Car’s Safety

A steering wheel that suddenly feels heavy almost always points ...
10/11/2026 By Jarrod
New lead-acid automotive electric battery replacement in old car

Why Your Car Battery Dies in Cold Weather and the Fix That Works

A car battery can lose more than a third of ...
10/10/2026 By Jarrod