Young Drivers

‘Four car-mad teens killed in fatal crash’ screams the headline. Sadly, it’s not an isolated case. According to a new report by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) teenage drivers triple their risk of having a fatal crash if they have their friends in the car.

In 2006, 286 teenagers aged 16-19 were killed in traffic accidents, mostly while being driven by their friends. In particular, teenagers are at risk in the 30 weeks after passing their driving test. After that, the risk of them causing death or serious injury on the road drops by 50%.

To bypass this critical time period, the ABI is urging the government to place restrictions on young drivers for six months after they pass their driving tests. Specifically, they want to see a law introduced that would limit drivers under 20 to carrying just ONE teenage passenger.

The ABI report says that there is a direct correlation between the accident rate and the number of teenage passengers in the car. So the risk of a fatal crash is 39% higher with one passenger, 85% higher with two passengers and a staggering 182% higher with three or more.

Introducing such measures could save 270 lives a year, the ABI claims. But some analysts are sceptical about the practicalities of enforcing such a scheme, especially one based on age.

Interestingly, new technology currently being developed by the car giant Ford is tackling the same problem in the States, where over 5,000 teenagers a year are killed on the roads.

The technology, called ‘MyKey’, involves a computerised chip being placed inside a car key that effectively caps a driver’s speed at 80mph.

The device been developed as a result of parents’ concerns. But there are no plans to introduce the technology to Britain. Part of the reason is obviously cultural – American teenagers can legally drive at age 16 for instance. But part of the reason may also be to do with perception.

According to a survey by the AA, 90% of its members underestimate the risks teenagers in cars face. In spite of the fact that 80% of accidental teenage deaths happen on the road, most of its members are more concerned with the dangers of drugs, drinking and gun and knife crime.

Now the motoring organisation is urging the parents and friends of teenage drivers and passengers to be extra vigilant.

One of the first things to watch out for is a car crammed with passengers, especially teenage ones. As well as distracting the driver teenage passengers may also encourage him/her to take unnecessary risks. Another factor to be aware of is whether someone has enough experience to cope with certain driving conditions. Driving on an unknown route, for example, may test an inexperienced driver’s capabilities.

Personality is another variable and perhaps the most crucial. Put simply, if the driver is young and impetuous and has a reputation for taking risks it might be better to avoid getting in a car with them!