Young drivers recognize the need for enhanced driver safety training

It is not surprising that statistics still show that young drivers, especially males, are the most unsafe motorists on European roadways. What is somewhat surprising is research that shows that this group of young drivers recognizes some of the factors that contribute to their driving challenges. In fact, many young motorists would support stricter regulations and heightened testing to help prevent unsafe motorists from getting behind the wheel and putting themselves and others in danger.

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Fact:: In 2003, more than 2 out of every 1000 males holding a full driving licence aged 17-20 were killed or seriously injured on UK roads. It is clear that action needs to be taken to tackle the problem of accidents involving young drivers.

How serious is the issue of driver safety with young motorists. Recent studies indicate a male driver between the ages of 17-20 is as much as ten times more likely to face death or serious injury in an accident than their more experienced counterparts. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), the source of the safety issues includes many factors. However, rather than the Department for Transport (DfT) imposing stricter sanctions, they believe improved training, education, and licensing requirements might be a better long-term solution.

Fact:: Their accidents are different from typical road traffic accidents; they are more likely than other drivers to have accidents, at weekends, in the evening, with their friends, when driving too quickly, in competition with other road users or while negotiating bends.

Young drivers seem to support the notion that enhanced education and safety training would be better for all new motorists, according to a May survey report from IAM, the largest independent road safety charity in the UK. Currently in the UK, drivers can take their licensing tests at the age of 17. The DfT reports that a young driver is 43 per cent less likely to be involved in a serious accident during his or her second year of driving than in the first. The young survey respondents indicated they believe drivers would be safer and better equipped to drive if forced to wait until 18 to drive.

The key question is, however, whether it would be the extra year of maturity that would make a difference in driver safety, or would drivers receive more education and training during the extra year? Survey respondents believed more training, broader training with qualified instructors, and bans on alcohol and other safety precautions might help prepare young drivers to be safer in their first year. Some seemed to feel ill-prepared to drive independently upon receiving their license.

Fact:: Young drivers pay higher insurance premiums than other drivers because their premiums reflect their higher claims levels. They make more claims, which are on average more expensive than those of other motorists. This is because they are involved in more accidents than other drivers.

Not surprisingly, the youngest people (ages 17-18) in the survey were the least likely to support an increase in age requirements for licensing as well as sanctions. Drivers that had already surpassed their first year or two of driving were more in favor of stricter requirements for new drivers coming along.

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The Facts Quoted Were Taken From The following ABI Report >> Young Drivers: Road Safety and the Cost of Motoring Interim report and consultation paper. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily held by the Click4Group unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.