By John Simpson 25 July 2012
Over a third of young drivers crash within the first six months of passing their driving test.
That’s according to a new report from the AA that also claims that nearly 40% of drivers are involved in a car collision before they reach the age of 23.
More than 14,000 motorists were surveyed as part of the AA’s Young Drivers At Risk report which found that drivers' first crashes tended to occur in the daytime with just 13% happening at night.
Bad weather was a factor in just 15% of cases while 63% of people are alone in the car when they have their first crash.
Launching the report, one-time Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell said: "This is a vitally important issue which doesn't get enough attention.
“Too many of our young people are still being killed or injured on the roads. These are preventable tragedies."
Education
The AA has called for the education of young drivers to begin earlier with greater opportunity to drive in a safe, off-road environment before they turn 17.
Edmund King, AA Director, said: "If teenagers have had interesting and practical road safety education, they are less likely to take dangerous risks when they get behind the wheel alone.
“Road crashes are not only the leading cause of death and injury for young people in the UK, but also across the world. We need safer drivers in safer cars on safer roads, to reduce these preventable deaths in the UK and across the globe."
To help address the number of young drivers crashing, the AA has laid on 1,000 free sessions for newly qualified drivers to help improve their driving skills, safety and become more fuel-efficient.
Click here for more info on that.
Categories: Fleet news , AA
If you ever need an example of how far the car and automotive technology has come in a single generation, just reach for the gear lever in your car. A mere 25 years ago, you would most likely have the choice of five gears…
There are a great many considerations to take into account when looking at your next company car. Some are purely financial and others will be environmental, either because of monetary reasons or because of your conscience.…
Hot hatches have been through a few ups and downs in the time the class has properly existed. From must-have 1980s accessory to untouchable, uninsurable liability in the early 1990s, the sector has been on the rise again…
The sound of silence is something usually reserved for the luxury end of the car market, but sat here in a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer there is an eerie lack of audio interruption. Before you think we need the tender care of…
The past few days has been a triumph and disappointment for young people as Paris Brown has gone from youth champion within the police to being investigated for some dubious tweets. It has also been a poor week for young…