Young drivers 'feel invulnerable'

MORE THAN seven in 10 young drivers think they are better than the average driver despite the age group being 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a serious crash, according to a survey by Vision Critical and road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)

The IAM says that the average of 71% reveals a perceived 'invulnerability' in young people that is not reflected in the real world.

Britain’s most confident young drivers are in Northern Ireland where an astonishing 87% think they are better than average. The facts tell a different story, with young drivers making up 26% of those involved in crashes.

Britain’s 'least' confident young drivers are from Wales where a still-surprising 56% think they are better than average.

The gender gap is not as wide as some might expect, though, with 75% of young men believing that they are more competent than average drivers, compared with 68% of young women.

Contrary to the confidence of younger drivers, official figures show that while only 8% of drivers are under 25, they account for 22% of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes. They also drive, on average, about half the distance of older drivers each year.

Nearly a quarter of all car drivers (133 out of 542) who died in 2012 were young drivers themselves.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “A year ago the government committed itself to producing a green paper to tackle the safety of young drivers which has yet to be published.”

“Our whole system of learning to drive must be overhauled to provide safe exposure to a wider range of traffic situations, but also the chance to discuss attitudes and risks.

"New drivers feel invulnerable and it is the job of government, training providers, insurers, charities and parents and carers to ensure they have the best training to reduce risk to themselves and others.”

By Press Association reporter