young drivers
What makes young drivers more vulnerable?
Young Drivers aged between 16-24, and particularly young men, are one of the highest risk road user groups.
This can be for a number of reasons including lack of experience behind the wheel, brain development leading to risk-taking behaviours and poorer hazard perception skills. A survey by Brake found that around a third of drivers aged 18-24 do not use a seatbelt, despite this reducing the risks of fatal injury by around 50%.
Due to the rural nature of Devon & Cornwall, and the lack of regular public transport in some areas, young people are more inclined to learn to drive as soon as they are able. Young drivers who live in rural areas of the UK are also more likely to be involved in an injury collision than their urban counterparts.
Sadly, young drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions involving high-speeds, losing control of their vehicle, when overtaking and negotiating bends, and late at night. Carrying more than one passenger can add significant pressure to a young driver and this can sadly result in collisions with more than one occupant.
On this page, both young drivers and their parents will find some useful hints and tips to stay safe on the road – as well as two great digital publications aimed at young drivers and those looking to take their driving test in the near future.
1 in 5 drivers crash within a year of passing their test
More than
young drivers are killed or seriously injured on UK roads every year
Young drivers living in rural areas are
more likely to be involved in an injury collision than their urban counterparts
useful resources
Below are two great publications aimed at young drivers and those looking to take their driving tests. The First Car Young Driver’s guide is aimed at young people and offers valuable safety tips, how to make the most of your lessons and what to look for when buying a car. Learning to Drive: The Parent’s Guide offers parents, adults and guardians the best advice and guidance to help ensure young drivers reach their full potential and become safe, considerate road users.
Young driver's guide
Parent's guide
useful FAQs
What can young drivers and passengers do to stay safe?
Here are some of the top tips for both young drivers and their passengers riders and links to further information and advice. If you are a parent of a young driver and want to know more about how to support visit A parent’s guide to supporting new drivers
Young Driver
- Zero tolerance – do not drive impaired or use your mobile phone
- Always wear a seatbelt and make sure your passengers do the same
- Try to avoid carrying more than 1 passenger and driving late at night
- Avoid in car distractions sounds as loud music
Passengers
- All drivers, no matter the age, need to concentrate. Be a good mate by not distracting your driver
- If you’re worried about your driver, don’t get in – or ask to get out.
For more helpful tips and information, you can visit the following sites:
10 essential driving tips for young drivers | startrescue.co.uk
Advice for road users – THINK!
Progressive licensing for young and newly qualified drivers | Brake
Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?
Although several factors are used to determine the cost of car insurance, for example where you live or the type of car you have, newly qualified drivers are at greater risk of making a claim than those who have been driving for longer and have more experience.
Unfortunately, when it goes very wrong young driver claims can be very expensive, essentially the insurance company will review the risk and if high then will increase the premium.
Are there any ways to help reduce insurance for young drivers?
Some insurance companies offer a telematics insurance Policy, sometimes this is known as ‘black box’ insurance. The device is fitted to the vehicle or through a mobile phone app and allows the insurance company to monitor driver behaviour.
If you drive well, then some insurance companies offer a reward and you may find that at the time of renewal of the insurance that the price may decrease. It can also give a good excuse for telling your passengers to stop asking you to drive faster and will make it far more likely that your vehicle gets recovered if it is ever stolen.
If you do have a serious collision many black boxes will automatically trigger the insurance company to call out the emergency services.
Are young drivers more likely to crash?
Unfortunately, young drivers are at much higher risk of being involved in a collision than older, more experienced drivers. One in five drivers are involved in a collision within a year of passing their test (Source: BRAKE).
Young males aged 17-24 are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with car drivers aged 25 or over – and young male drivers are more likely to crash with passengers in the car. The presence of friends in their car can encourage young drivers to drive in a more risky way. The collision risk for young drivers increases with each additional passenger carried: compared with driving alone. The more mates the more risk.
The combination of youth and inexperience puts younger drivers at a greater risk of being involved in a collision. Lack of on road experience often results in younger drivers being less likely to spot hazards and some younger drivers are likely to take greater risks for example speeding and overtaking. Whilst younger people generally have faster reactions their hazard perception skills may mean that their driver reaction may not be as quick as those of a more experienced driver.
What are the main causes of young driver crashes?
Inexperience, excess or inappropriate speed, distractions from mobile phone use or multiple
young occupants, impairments through drink/drug and tiredness are all factors that increase the likelihood of a young driver being involved in a crash. Often it is the stacking of these risks that lead to crashes. Not wearing a seatbelt is also a factor that will lead to poor outcomes for anyone involved in a collision.
Probation period for two years – what does this mean?
If you have just passed your driving test you must remember you are “on probation” for the first two years. If you clock up six or more penalty points during that time you will lose your licence and go back to being a learner.
You will have to reapply for a provisional licence and take both the theory and practical driving test again. This is to reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads. Newly qualified drivers, especially young ones, are more at risk in the first two years after passing their test than at any other time.
Your licence will be taken away if you increase that risk by committing offences such as speeding or using a mobile phone whilst driving. Remember mobile phone use when driving can have huge implications.
How many driving lessons should a young driver have?
Everyone is different and it can depend on several factors, for example how confident you are, your driving instructor, your age, and your commitment to driving. However, the take home message is do not rush the process and you will be safer when you get your licence.
On average it takes 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice to learn to drive DVSA. However, research has suggested that getting 100 hours of supervised on-road experience under different conditions over a period of 12 months significantly reduces your risk of being in a crash as a newly qualified driver.
What are the most dangerous times for driving?
Younger people have a greater risk of being involved in a collision during the hours of darkness. This is possibly due to being distracted by other people within the vehicle and being pressurised into doing things they would not normally do.
How can a young person reduce their risk of an RTC?
- Take your time learning to drive and gain lots of on road experience under a range of different conditions
- Invest in telematics insurance
- Make a Safe Plan for themselves, with their friends, and parents/carers
- Reduce the number of peer passengers in the vehicle
- Ensure all passengers wear seatbelts
- Avoid being distracted by mobile phone and other devices
- Never drive whilst under the influence of drink and drugs
- Plan ahead – having contacts on your mobile phone or pre downloaded apps can be really useful when needed. What3Words is a really useful app and will help get emergency services to the correct location quickly What3Words
As a passenger how can I help a newly qualified driver to be safe?
By understanding how many things a new driver must think about at once, and therefore…
- Reducing in car distractions
- Be a good co-pilot
- Do not pressure a new driver to give you a lift
- Use positive peer pressure to ensure all other passengers contribute to safe journey
- Buy the designated driver soft drinks to encourage them to not drink and drive
- Suggest alternative modes of travel if a driver is tired
- Encourage the driver not to drive late at night on country roads until they have a lot of experience
Do I need to undertake any additional training after passing my test?
No, you don’t but additional training can help improve your skills, confidence and make you a safer driver. These are some links to courses that are available as you begin your driving career:
- Pass plus
- Advanced drivers – Institute of Advanced Drivers (IAM) – https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/young-driver-assessment
- RoSPA – https://www.rospa.com/road-safety/rospa-advanced-drivers-and-riders
What is a safe plan?
A Safe Plan is literally what is says – it is a plan for how to be safe. Essentially this is all the things you can do as a new driver, passenger of a new driver, or parent to reduce your risk. This could be as simple as making a promise to not drive if you feel tired. https://learn-2-live.org.uk/young-drivers
What is a young driver/parent agreement?
Before your child starts to learn to drive, have a conversation with them to agree upon what restrictions will apply once they pass their test. Many parents contribute towards the cost of getting their child on the road for the first time – driving lessons, purchasing a car and insurance to name a few. If you are going to contribute towards the cost you have a right to ask for something in return!
Please see more info here: https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/parents/parents-youngdrivers.pdf
What to do in an emergency?
It is important to familiarise yourself with the basics of what to do if you are involved in a road traffic collision. Read more here: Post Crash Info (learn-2-live.org.uk)
These are some other sites that have great advice, guidance and support for young drivers:
- Learn 2 Live
- The Honest Truth
- Road Safety Knowledge Centre
- The Mates Matter campaign is calling on friends to do what they do best – look out for each other. Specifically calling for mates to intervene and stop their mates when they are tempted to drink driving