DOWN: Road death figures head in right direction
The number of drivers aged 17-24 killed in a road accident has decreased by 10% since 2010, new analysis has found.
Research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) also revealed in the past four years the number of 17-24-year-old passengers killed in a car with a young driver has dropped by 24%.
IAM claim the difference in the figure could be due to the general improvement of road safety, fewer young people passing the driving test, ongoing campaigns and the recession.
Simon Best, Chief Executive at the IAM, said: “Road safety has been improving for everyone in the UK in recent years and that is reflected in the improved situation for new drivers.
“But, it’s worrying that our younger people are still at such high risk of causing death and injury to themselves.
“These figures show an urgent need to improve awareness of the risks for younger drivers and their passengers.
“We know that inexperience and overconfidence are significant factors in crashes among the younger age group and addressing this issue must be a top priority.
“By delaying its green paper the government has missed a great opportunity to provide better training, more support and learning from a younger age.”
Research shows younger drivers are more likely to travel with passengers of a similar age but the risk goes up with every extra passenger.
A study from the USA showed that a young driver’s chances of being killed went up 44% with one passenger, 90% with two and 300% with three or more.
In 2012, 133 drivers aged 17-24 were killed alongside 71 young passengers.
The previous year, there 148 drivers aged 17-24 killed as well as 93 young passengers.
