Statistically, young drivers are at a much higher risk of crashing than older drivers. One in four 18-24 year olds crash within two years of passing their driving test. Young male drivers are involved in many more crashes than young female drivers.
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What can be done to improve the safety of young people?
Concentrate
Teenage drivers are six times more likely to have a serious incident when there is loud conversation in the vehicle. It's difficult to resist the temptation to pick up your phone when you're driving - even though it's illegal. But as soon as you take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel you're putting yourself and others at risk. Lock your phone away so you’re not tempted.
Don’t succumb to peer pressure
Research shows that peer pressure can encourage bad driving and result in drivers ‘showing off’ of their passengers and taking more risks. 16-17 year olds drivers are up to four times more likely to die in a crash when carrying young passengers than when driving alone, but 62% less likely when carrying older adult passengers, indicating it is peer pressure rather than simply the presence of passengers that raises the risk.
Avoid drink and drugs
Drivers in their 20s have the highest rates of both drink and drug driving crashes. It is illegal to drive if you’re unfit to do so because you’ve taken legal or illegal drugs. It is also illegal to drive if you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood, even if they haven’t affected your driving.
Police can use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine in your blood. If they think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to provide a blood or urine test at a police station. To read more visit the government website.
Get more training – Take the Pass Plus
If you’ve recently passed your test, consider spending a few more hours investing in the Pass Plus qualification, this is designed to help drivers improve their skills and drive more safely. Many insurers offer a discount to people who’ve taken Pass Plus.
FAQ
There were 1,792 people killed in road accidents reported to the police in 2016. This is an increase of 4 percent compared to the 1,730 deaths reported in 2015.
Encourage young drivers to be cautious about taking passengers and driving at night in the first six months after obtaining a full driving licence. Encourage the use of telematics that measures how well you drive. These continue to provide feedback to the driver as their experience grows.
Your licence will be revoked if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test. If your licence is cancelled within 2 years you’ll have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving test again. Any penalty points on your provisional licence that haven’t expired will be carried over to your full licence when you pass your test. However, your licence will be cancelled if you get any further penalty points that take you up to a total of 6 or more within the first 2 years of passing your test.
