According to statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the highest car crash rate is among young drivers with 18-year-olds responsible for around 50 collisions a day on the UK’s roads - three times as many as drivers in their fifties. The ABI finds young drivers are ten times more likely to be killed or severely injured in a road accident than drivers in their forties while safety campaign organisation Brake states young drivers account for more than two in five road deaths.
The fact is that young drivers have less experience on the road and therefore less ability to anticipate and react to its dangers. To make matters worse, some youngsters tarnish the reputation of their peers by driving irresponsibly. So what lessons can be learned?
How can young drivers Stay Safe?
The key to motoring at any age is to drive safely and responsibly. Don`t be pressurised by friends into driving recklessly, performing risky manoeuvres or breaking the speed limit – stick to what you feel comfortable with and respect the laws of the road, because most laws are there for your own protection.
Here are some things to consider:
• Drive like you own the car, not the road – Remember the vehicle is your property and potentially your most expensive purchase to date, so why put it (and yourself) at risk? Also pay heed to pedestrians and other road users - be respectful.
• Stay in control – You can`t control how the car behind you is driven, so don`t let the driver of that car control you. Resist feeling pressured to break the speed limit or run a red light just because the driver behind you is impatient.
• Don`t cram in passengers – Not only is it illegal to transport more passengers than the car is designed to carry, it`s also a massive safety risk. In the USA there are restrictions on the number of passengers a teenage driver can have with them at any one time and this has led to a 37 percent reduction in the number of fatal crashes involving novice drivers.
• Be realistic about your experience – In theory, new drivers fresh from lessons shouldn’t have developed the bad habits that tend to come with thousands of miles of driving or years behind the wheel. Remember though, that as a new driver you are inexperienced and should take extra care, particularly when driving at night or in bad weather.
• Don`t speed – Simply put, speeding kills. Driving too fast gives you less time to react to unexpected situations so keep your speed down.
Steer clear of alcohol and drugs
Driving under the influence is illegal and even if it doesn’t lead to an accident it can cost you your licence. Any amount of alcohol, and even legal drugs such as cough medicines, can slow your responses. Keep your head clear and avoid giving lifts to anyone who has been drinking as this could be distracting.
Go to a professional driving school
Get the best preparation possible before taking to the road by going to a professional driving school where you can be sure the instructors are fully qualified and accredited. Your friends and family may have picked up bad habits or be unfamiliar with the latest rules – with a professional you can ensure you’re being prepared properly for life on the road.
Think about your car insurance
Driving safely can not only save lives, it can save money too. The average car insurance premium for a young driver, aged 17-25, is £989 according to a comparison website – that`s more than double the national average.
For low cost young driver car insurance, stay accident and conviction free so you can build up a no-claims discount that can save you cash - some insurers even offer rapid bonus schemes allowing you to build up a full year’s bonus in just six or nine months.