Young Driver Safety: March 2017

Keoghs has been part of the campaign to see young driver safety improve through a number of new measures that we would like to see implemented.

Young drivers (those aged from 17-24 years old) account for around 20% of road deaths, even though they make up only 7% of full licence holders and their mileage is lower than other road users*.  Indeed, road traffic accidents are the single biggest cause of accidental death of young people, accounting for 15% of all deaths of young adults**.  

A range of factors contribute to young drivers being more at risk than other road users. Their lack of experience can make them less likely to spot and respond appropriately to hazards, while they are more likely to exhibit behaviours which increase risk such as speeding, overtaking blind, driving on drugs, and not wearing seat belts.

As a result, young drivers pose a serious risk both to themselves and to other road users. Of the 342 people killed in crashes involving young car drivers in 2014 – the latest year for which figures are available – 120 were young drivers, 86 were their passengers and 136 were other road users.***

Young drivers are also statistically more likely to be involved in major accidents and are also more likely to be carrying passengers who sustain serious injury. The associated cost to the economy of these accidents was £2.9bn in 2013.**** 

Keoghs believes that the Government must take action to prevent these avoidable deaths and injuries. In 2015 we funded a YouGov survey, in association with RoSPA, which showed strong support for some form of graduated driving license. There is independent evidence from the Transport Research Laboratory that a longer and broader test period could save thousands of lives young lives each year.

We have prepared a briefing on this issue with a variety of stakeholders attributing their support; including the ABI, MASS, FOIL, Enterprise rent-a-car, and Insure the Box, as well as RoSPA. The Lord Chancellor’s decision to dramatically decrease the discount rate has highlighted the difficulties that young drivers face when applying for insurance; this could mean that the Government may be more receptive to understanding more about young driver safety policy opportunities that are currently being missed.

Data sources:

* - DVLA (2014). Table DRL0101, Provisional and full driving licences held, by age and by gender, Great Britain; Department for Transport (2014). Table NTS605 Average distance travelled by age, gender and mode: England, 2013
** - Department for Transport (2015). Facts on Young Car Drivers
*** - Department for Transport and Office for National Statistics (2015). Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2014 Annual Report
**** - Department for Transport (2015). Facts on Young Car Drivers