Young drivers urged to stay safe as figures show high risk of serious crashes

A call has been made for parents to remain actively involved in their children’s driving journey, both while they are learning and in the months following the passing of their driving test.

The request comes amidst new analysis revealing that over 23,000 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers aged 17-24 in Great Britain over the last five years.

Data from the Department for Transport indicates that approximately 7,500 of these were young drivers themselves, and over 4,000 were passengers in cars driven by young drivers.

More than half of those killed or seriously injured were other road users, including people in other vehicles and pedestrians.

Almost a third of young drivers involved in collisions resulting in death or serious injury were involved in single-vehicle crashes, compared to 23% of drivers overall.

These insights come as part of "Operation Spotlight on Young Drivers," a national endeavour led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), running from 14th September to 4th October.

This operation, supported by the National Fire Chiefs' Council, Protect Young Drivers, and road safety data specialists Agilysis, aims to reduce deaths and severe injuries by focusing on police activity, education, and community engagement.

The initiative aligns with the return of young people to educational institutions and workplaces following the summer break, as driving conditions are poised to change with the evenings beginning to draw in.

Analyses indicate higher risks during weekends, evenings, and night-time, with Saturday recording the highest average number of young drivers involved in fatal collisions.

Rural roads posed a greater danger, with young drivers experiencing collisions at double the rate per head of population compared to urban roads.

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, reacting to the new figures, reaffirmed his support for the introduction of Graduated Drivers Licenses, which would see restriction placed on young drivers, in the hopes of making them safer on the roads.

GDLs, which have seen success in other countries like Australia and New Zealand, aim to provide young drivers with time to develop their driving skills independently before carrying peer-aged passengers.

Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier, Deputy National Coordinator in the National Roads Policing Coordination Centre, highlighted the disproportionate representation of young drivers in serious and fatal collisions.

“Operation Spotlight combines police efforts and partnerships across the road safety sector to educate, support parents, and promote responsible behaviour among young drivers," Clothier said.