Learn to drive, not drive to learn - latest ABI research shows the real risks faced by young drivers

Tuesday, 18 March 2008 12:00 AM

Latest research from the ABI (Association of British Insurers) highlights how vulnerable young drivers are to having a serious motor accident. Every day four people are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving young drivers. The findings reinforce the ABI's call for a minimum one-year learning period for all learner drivers, and restrictions on the number of teenage passengers young novice drivers can carry.

The ABI's analysis of insurance claims involving young drivers reveals that:
. Drivers aged 18 cause 50 collisions every day - nearly three times as many as drivers in their fifties.
. Inexperience affects young novice drivers more than older novice drivers: an 18 year-old driver with one year's experience is twice as likely to make a claim as a 30 year-old driver with one year's experience.
. Passenger restrictions in the first year of driving could significantly reduce the accident risk. In the USA such restrictions have reduced fatal crashes by up to 37%.

Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General Insurance and Health said:

"Every year 50,000 17 year-olds pass their driving test with less than six months driving experience. One in three of these drivers are likely to be involved in an accident within the first two years after passing their test. Too often these accidents end in tragedy. Introducing a structured minimum one-year learning period, and passenger restrictions will help today's young drivers become tomorrow's safer motorists. We urge the Government to act now to protect young motorists and their families."

- ENDS -

Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Alan Leaman 020 7216 7440 (Mobile: 07957 482 330)
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. Copies of the research on young drivers available on: www.abi.org.uk/BookShop/ResearchReports/ABI%20young%20drivers.pdf

3. Key statistics on young drivers:

-17 to 20 year old male drivers are almost ten times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than more experienced motorists

-one in four passengers seriously injured in a road accident was travelling with a young driver at the time

-17 to 20 year old male drivers are almost five times as likely to be involved in a road accident involving a casualty than males aged 30 -59

The ABI's proposals to improve the road safety record of young drivers
- A minimum one-year leaning period before sitting the driving test.

- A structured learning programme, covering different road and traffic conditions. This could be done through a logbook, in which the learner would record the number of hours spent driving and their experience.

- Limiting the number of passengers young newly qualified drivers can
carry in the first six months after passing their driving test. We recommend that drivers under 20 should carry no more than one teenage passenger in the six months after passing their test.

4. The ABI is the trade association for Britain's insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold up to a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers.

5. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

Copies of all ABI news releases, together with other information from the Association, can be seen on our website http://www.abi.org.uk

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