Young drivers 'involved in disproportionate number of accidents'

Date: 4/2/2011

Drivers among the younger generation of road users continue to be involved in a "disproportionately high" number of fatalities and injuries, it has been revealed.

As a result, the charity Brake is urging road safety professionals to attend its International Congress on Youth, Gender and Road Risk on June 30th in London.

The latest government statistics have revealed that one in four deaths or serious injuries to occur on UK roads during 2009 involved a driver aged 17-24, although young people account for only one in eight licence holders.

It was also revealed that 71 per cent of young drivers involved in casualties were male and that overall crashes by young people were more likely to occur during the weekends at night-time.

Julie Townsend, Campaigns Director of Brake, said: "We're urging road safety professionals to attend our International Congress this summer, to hear the latest international evidence and case studies on targeting young and male drivers. It's an invaluable training opportunity for anyone working in the road safety field."

Brake recently announced its Volunteer of the Year Award 2010 had gone to Michelle Luetchford of Ipswich, who began raising money after her sister was killed when a car mounted the pavement.

Posted by Sarah Bailey