Young and newly qualified drivers Why? Young drivers are at a much higher risk of having a crash than older drivers. This can result in them killing or injuring their young passengers and other road users. Many young people think that crashes only happen to other people. But...

• About one in eight (13%) of motor vehicle licence holders is
  aged 25 or under, yet more than a quarter (29%) of motor
  vehicle drivers killed are in this age group.
• One in five new drivers is involved in a crash in their first year
  of driving.
• Young male drivers have higher crash rates than young female drivers.
• Young drivers are more likely to thrill seek from driving fast and cornering
  at high speed than older drivers.
• Government statistics show that male drivers under 25 have the highest incidence of failing a breath test after being involved in a road crash in which someone was injured.
• Research shows that the already high crash rate for 16-19-year-olds driving alone is greatly increased when passengers are present. The more passengers, the greater risk of a collision.
• Young drivers have a higher proportion of crashes (many of which are single-vehicle) in the evenings and early mornings.
• Young drivers and passengers are often under the impression that it is ‘not cool’ to wear a seatbelt, especially if other people in the car are not wearing theirs.

Training for safety

Pass Plus is a training scheme for new drivers designed by the Driving Standards Agency. It aims to teach young people how to deal with a wide range of road and traffic situations and boost their awareness of all kinds of hazards. The course covers:

Driving at night

• Town driving
• All weather driving
• Driving on country roads
• Driving on dual carriageways
• Driving on motorways

Passing this course can reduce a young driver’s insurance.