Mum of teen killed in friend's car wants tougher new driver rules

The mother of a teenager killed in a car crash is stepping up a campaign to better educate newly qualified drivers of the dangers of being inexperienced on the roads.

Max Greenhouse, 17, died when the Vauxhall Corsa driven by Joe McCaldon who lost control and smashed into a wall on Fir Tree Lane in Aughton, Lancashire days after passing his test . Two other passengers were hurt in the crash on 11 December 2024.

McCaldon was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to four years' detention after his conviction of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Max's mother Alison is campaigning for young drivers to get a graduated licence.

"We want the roads safe for our young people. The graduated licence would see an extended period of learning time," she said.

She added: "It would help new drivers on the roads.

"Something needs s to change to stop young people from doing what they are doing."

Graduated licences are due to be introduced in Northern Ireland in October for all new drivers, but they will be aimed particularly at 17 to 23-year-olds.

They include a six-month wait for learner drivers before taking a practical test, as well as restrictions on night-time driving and passenger numbers.

Alison, from Lydiate, Sefton hopes her MP Bill Esterson will champion her cause in parliament.

McCaldon, then 17, had passed his driving test only six days before the fatal crash.

He picked up Max before collecting two other friends - aged 16 and 17 - and driving to nearby Clieves Hill in Aughton.

He later drove away from Clieves Hill, speeding down a country lane before losing control and crashing into a farmhouse's stone wall shortly after 21:00 GMT.

Witnesses described hearing a bang as the car struck the wall, before McCaldon shouted: "I need to get out."

The teenager and his three passengers all suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital, where Max died.

A subsequent police investigation found McCaldon would have been travelling at 57mph, and the bend on which he lost control of his vehicle could easily have been navigated had he have been driving within the 40mph speed limit, police said.

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