Only 1.5% of UK drivers are aged 17-19. However, 9% of all serious – and, tragically, even fatal – accidents involve a driver that age.
It is little wonder, then, that young driver insurance is so expensive. Even more scary, the research – from road safety charity Brake – shows that those young, beginner drivers are a third more likely to die in a crash than an older driver.
Don’t Lose It
Even if not involved in an accident, young and new drivers aren’t immune from accruing penalty points due to poor or dangerous driving. In 2018, around 33 new drivers EVERY DAY lost their license from amassing 6 penalty points within two years of qualifying. In total, nearly 12,000 drivers had their licenses revoked. A whopping two-thirds of these were aged 17-24. Those drivers must re-apply and pay for another provisional licence and must re-sit their theory and practical tests.
The Brake research also shows:
- Nearly 22% of new drivers are involved in an accident during their first year of driving.
- Over 26% of new drivers aged 18-24 admitted to having an accident in their first year of driving.
- 7% of new drivers aged between 25 and 34 were involved in an accident.
- 20% of drivers aged 35 to 44 and 16.6% of new drivers over 55 were involved in an accident.
Why So High?
It’s abundantly clear from the statistics that any new driver is more likely to be involved in an accident – but a young, beginner driver even more so. But why exactly are younger, inexperienced drivers so at risk? Reasons include:
- Lack of Experience: Yes, it’s true. Merely being an inexperienced driver on the roads can mean that many young drivers will be less aware of potential hazards and slower to react and so more at risk. With experience comes knowledge of the quirks of the roads, the ‘what ifs’ – and the behaviour of other drivers.
- Over-confidence: Despite their inexperience – and that expensive insurance – many younger drivers can have misplaced confidence in their abilities. Young drivers may lark about and try to impress their friends. This can distract them from road condition and other drivers, can cause lapses in concentration and makes it easy to lose control.
- Taking Silly Risks: Going hand in hand with the excessive confidence, young drivers seem more inclined to take risks when driving, like ignoring speed limits, drink or drug driving and even going without seat belts. All these have been proven to cause accident and injury.
- Driving at Night: Again, linked to over-confidence and risk taking, but young drivers are often likely to be out and about at night. Driving in the dark is totally different to daylight lessons so it’s essential; to get some experience and to check lights and windscreen wipers; take extra care on unlit roads and avoid driving if overtired.
- Wet or Icy Roads: Poor weather conditions lead to an increased risk for all drivers, but many young or new drivers may not have experienced treacherous wet or icy roads before and will be unaware of increased stopping times and distances. They might not even know to check anti-freeze levels or tyre depths and pressures.
What to Do
Young and new drivers don’t have an easy time, then. Even if they avoid injury or a cancelled licence, their already astronomical insurance costs can skyrocket further with even a small shunt, or one speeding penalty. What can they do to avoid the pitfalls of crashes, claims and points?
- The Right Driving Instructor: Even before passing your test, you can give yourself a head start by choosing an instructor who goes the extra mile. At i-drivesafe, for example, our beginner driving lessons in Stockport cover far more than just the basics. We know the latest rules and regulations inside out and train you to drive to a much higher standard. We constantly reinforce that safe driving is critical.
- Driver Coaching: Even once you’ve passed your test, you never stop learning. That’s what experience does. Driving is an invaluable life skill that can always be improved upon. I-drivesafe deliver motorway lessons, refresher driving lessons and advanced driving lessons – even country road driving lessons.
- Advanced Driving Lessons (Pass Plus): Advanced driving lessons can lead to a Pass Plus qualification, which will not only make you a better driver, but could also lower your insurance premium by as much as 30%.
Safety is Everything
The UK government exploring ways to improve young drivers’ skills, abilities, knowledge – and therefore safety. Graduated Driving Licenses is a new initiative already being trialled in Northern Ireland. This could mean that young drivers will initially have restrictions on their driving license, lifted in phases as they gain more experience. Possible, suggested restrictions include curfews, limits on passengers, lower drink drive limits, lower speed limits and ‘P’ plates.
Drive Safe for Life
Accidents happen, or so they say. But with care and caution, and the right skillset, many could be avoided. When a young or new driver embarks on beginner driving lessons it’s crucial to get the best possible driver coaching and tuition. The same is true with lapsed learner driver lessons; motorway driving lessons; or advanced driving lessons. It’s simply essential to learn to drive and subsequently gain that invaluable experience with a driving coach who will equip learner drivers from day one with the skills and knowledge to drive safe – for life.