A CAMPAIGN to promote safer driving among first-year drivers following the tragic death of a Denbighshire teenager is gathering pace.

Those leading the campaign, including Joe Hinchcliffe who set up a petition in 2020, and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, met with the Association of British Insurers in early February (ABI).

The campaign was set up in honour of Joe's best friend, Olivia Alkir, who was killed in a horrific crash on the B5105 between Ruthin and Clawddnewydd in 2019.

Following the death of the 17-year-old from Efnechtyd, the ‘Olivia’s Legacy’ campaign was established by Joe, who was a witness of the accident.

A petition set up called for all new drivers to be required to have a black box fitted to their vehicle for the first year after they pass their test and a limit on the number of passengers they can carry to one, in order to promote safer driving.

It gathered around 7,000 signatures in the first month of being set up.

By the end of 2020, it had gathered the 10,000 signatures it needed to warrant a respones from the Government.

On Friday, February 5, Joe, Darren Millar MS and others, including Olivia's mum Jo Alkir, met with the ABI to discuss the campaign.

Mr Millar said: “It was a very productive meeting in which we discussed our calls for black boxes to be required for all new drivers for the first 12 months after they pass their test and for a limit on the number of passengers that new drivers can carry.

“The ABI was sympathetic to the calls and told us about their proposals for a Graduated Driving Licence, with limits on driving for the first 12 months to help new and young drivers to build up their skills.

“They have agreed to take our campaign and share its calls with their panel of insurers.

“Olivia was only 17 years old when she died, and without action further young lives will be lost. I hope the insurers support our calls and we can work with them to ensure that our young people are better protected when out on the roads.”

Olivia was a pupil of Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin, and was set to receive her A-level results just weeks after she died.

Described by mum Jo and dad Mesut as a 'clever, bright and beautiful' girl, Olivia was a head girl at the school and had planned to go to University to study architectural engineering.

18-year-old petition starter Joe, who is from Llandyrnog, befriended Olivia when the pair were in year seven and they became the best of friends.