How the
number don’t add up for younger motorists
Young drivers are always getting singled out for strong
criticism. They’re accused of being irresponsible, reckless and dangerous. This
has led to some lively debates about the UK’s younger motorists during the past
12 months, and a range of headline-grabbing ideas been suggested to ‘deal’ with
the issues surrounding them.
But is the reputation of younger drivers justified? If
so, why are they a higher risk? And what are the solutions?
The
numbers don’t lie
When it comes to young drivers and road safety, the
numbers don’t add up in their favor. The Association of British Insurers says that only 12% of
drivers in the UK are under 25, but that this age group accounts for over 30%
of road fatalities; the Association of British Insurers estimates than an
18-year-old is three times more likely to be involved in a crash than a driver
who is 30-years-old.
The data on road accidents and fatalities clearly shows
that drivers aged 17-24 are involved in a disproportionately high number of
incidents. In 2011 a total of 5,419 people were killed or seriously injured in
UK accidents involving young drivers.
It’s an imbalance that can seriously affect young drivers’
ability to find competitive premiums, and leaves them in desperate need of
advice when looking for more specialist policies. But what’s the reason for
this disparity? Why are so many young drivers and passengers dying on the
roads?
Driven to
distraction
One explanation is that young drivers are dangerously
distracted. A recent YouGov poll of 2,500 young people found that 45% were
distracted by scenery, 44% by the radio and 33% by mobile phones.
Then there’s the distraction of carrying passengers; anecdotal
evidence suggests that peer pressure to drive fast and take risks is a very
real problem. Even when a young driver is alone they’re more likely to break
the speed limit – the research by YouGov found a quarter 24% of young drivers
said they would find it acceptable to speed at night.
Mind the
gap
Another explanation is the skill and knowledge ‘gap’ –
younger motorists are less accomplished drivers than their older counterparts,
and are more likely to make mistakes in marginal situations.
This certainly isn't surprising. Driving is a skill,
developed through years of practical application. Older drivers with decades of
experience have logged thousands of hours behind the wheel, whereas young
motorists are constantly encountering new situations – such as heavy rain,
driving at night or using busy motorways – after they pass their test.
Research by Red Driving School supports the theory of a
knowledge gap applying to young drivers. It questioned 1,000 drivers aged 14-17
and found that 79% didn't know the legal drink driving limit in the UK. The
research also revealed that 20% of respondents drink drive when “the unexpected
happens”. Separate research has suggested that drivers aged 20-24 fail more
breath tests than any other age group.
Care and
accountability
Finally, the higher risk of younger drivers can be partly
explained by a lack of care, investment and responsibility towards servicing
and insurance. The society of motor maintenance and traders found young drivers
were not servicing their car properly, and were unaware that software updates
are available.
The society of motor maintenance and traders polled 2,000
drivers and found 10% of drivers aged 18-24 never had their car serviced; 12%
of drivers 25-34 had never serviced their car. These figures are strikingly
different to older drivers – only 5% of drivers aged 35-54 – and only 2% of
drivers over 55 – fail to have their car properly maintained.
The driver and vehicle licensing agency has reported the
number of 17-20 years-old drivers without insurance has fallen by half in three
years. However, this age group still accounts for 10% of the 1.2 million
uninsured drivers thought to be on the road – a disproportionately high figure.
So the question is are young drivers safe to be on our
roads?
By Beth Lloyd
Written by Unknown
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