We know from our own experience within our families and friends that a great majority of young drivers, particularly men, have an accident within a few months of passing their driving test. In fact statistics show it is during the first 6 months post-test period that most accidents happen. The majority of new young drivers have accidents which only damage their car or cause minor injuries, but sadly a significant number of accidents involve serious injury and death – the statistics speak for themselves:-

• On average one young person age 16-19 dies each day on UK roads travelling either as a driver or passenger
• In 2005, four young drivers were killed or seriously injured on UK roads each day
• 17-20 year old males are almost TEN times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than more experienced drivers
• The leading cause of death among teenage girls is being killed in road accidents by their boyfriends’ negligent driving – particularly speeding.

Let us remember that the driving test was started in 1935 and since then nothing has substantially changed.  We are now in the 21^st century and in the last 70 years not only has the amount of traffic has increased dramatically, roads and signage are far more complex, cars are much more powerful, and indeed even the nature of teenagers has changed. In 1970’s the most common first cars for new drivers were an 850cc Mini - now it is usually a car with nearly twice that engine size such as a 1400cc Vauxhall Astra or a 1200cc Corsa.

All novice drivers, and particularly young people, need to learn not only the skills to handle a car but also need to be taught to drive responsibly and safely for the sakes of themselves and other road users and pedestrians.

SKID are campaigning to change the driving test regulations in a number of key ways:

 ·       A minimum provisional learning period of 6 months before taking the driving test, which would enable drivers to undertake supervised practice without an incentive to rush to take the practical test 

·       A minimum number of 50 logged hours before taking the test

 ·       A structured learning programme for all new drivers, covering the different road and traffic conditions learner drivers should experience before taking the test. This could be implemented via a log book in which the driver would record the number of hours they had spent driving and their experience. 

·       Before taking the test, in addition to the current theory exam, examinees should be required to watch an educational video about being a safe driver, including the effects that a serious accident can have on passengers and others.

 ·       After the test there would be a probationary 12 months during which time there would be restrictions, which would include:

·       Passengers restricted to those aged over 25 for the first 6 months

·       Curfew on driving between Midnight and 6am (unless for work travel) for the first 6 months

·       Limit on engine size to 1200 cc (which can be implemented by the insurance companies, who, incidentally, favour this idea).

·       No alcohol

·       Any driving offence like speeding, jumping traffic lights or infringing the above restrictions would result in an immediate ban for a minimum of one month.

Learning to drive a car is not the same as learning to be a safe driver

Let us be clear - SKID is not against teenagers and young persons learning to drive. We believe that more novices would pass their test first time if there was a proper structured course with graduated learning, and trainees having to have more driving experience before taking the test.

SKID also believes that insurance premiums would come down for younger drivers as there would be fewer accidents and hence claims among this group; which would enable more young people to get their driving experience and take the test.

When there is a serious accident for the tax payer there is a high price to pay for the police and emergency services as well as the burden on the NHS.  For the families involved, apart from the financial cost, the emotional and physical price can be horrendous. It is every parent’s nightmare, we all hope that it won’t be our child killed or seriously injured in a car accident, but sadly and it can and does happen frequently. Statistics and common sense tells us that every year there are far too many accidents caused by young novice drivers. Night driving when they are more likely to be under the influence of drink or drugs, the number of passengers, engine size, and just lack of driving experience, are all factors in accidents involving young people.

The UK has less preparation for road driving than other European countries, America, Australia and many other countries, most of whom have a 2 year minimum period between getting a provisional and a full licence.

It is estimated that out of a total of 43,500 accidents where death or serious injury occurs; almost 38,800 of such accidents involve at least one driver with less than 2 years post-test experience.

Leaner drivers often acquire adequate skills to handle the vehicle, but they need time and driving experience to gain the higher order skills required for hazard spotting and anticipating the behaviour of other drivers.  It is also clear that learners need to obtain more, and more varied, driving experience before taking their test, and hence being allowed on the road unsupervised.

Driver attitude also plays an important role in novice driver accidents. Poor or bad attitude is far more prevalent in young, particularly young male, drivers Examples include exceeding the speed limit, jumping red/amber traffic lights, driving too close to the vehicle in front. Young male drivers consider themselves better drivers than others, with quicker reactions, better vision etc. etc.;  and believe that bad consequences are less likely to result from their actions, and that they will be less serious if they do.

The evidence shows:- 

• Night time restrictions could reduce death and injury for young drivers by over 50%.
• Young male drivers are more than twice as likely to have accidents driving at excess speeds than females particularly on bends
• 40% of accidents which involve young drivers and result in death or serious injury occur when the roads are wet
• Young male drivers are far more likely than others to indulge in competitive driving. 17-18 males have around 70% more accidents.
• The presence of friends in the car can distract and encourage showing off. Compared with driving alone the risk of a fatal accident is increased by up to 182%.

This campaign is not meant to “punish” or demonize young drivers – but to save their lives, and those of other road users – through training and awareness.

Remember – Bad old drivers were probably once bad young drivers.

You can support SKID by writing to your local MP and/or to the Road Safety Minister,

Stephen Ladyman , 
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

Fax: 020 7944 9643

E-mail:  Stephen.Ladyman@dft.gsi.gov.uk  

SKID is a single issue campaign, however there are numerous organisations who are also lobbying for  changes to the driving test requirements. For further information please visit the following websites:

www.brake.org.uk  see the section on ‘Young Driver’

www.abi.org.uk The Association of British Insurers, see the current publications ‘Young Drivers – Reducing Death on the Roads’

www.fiafoundation.com campaigns for road safety – see ‘Young Drivers Report’

www.racfoundation.org campaigns for road safety

www.pacts.org.uk Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety ‘Driver Training and Education: Improving the Standard of Young and Novice Drivers’ PACTS Research Briefing (RB4/00), November 2000

www.roadsafe.com see young driver section

www.rospa.org

www.bbc.co.uk see the Real Story 21/02/07 on Young Drivers

www.dft.gov.uk see consultation document 2002 ‘Introducing a more Structured approach to learning to drive’

See details of the BBC programme "Young drivers" - Real Story by clicking here

Contribute to the debate at neighbourhoodwatch.net.

Email SKID here