Young male drivers 'biggest safety risk on UK's roads'

Date: 30/12/2011

Young novice drivers are the group most at risk on the UK's roads, it has been revealed.

Research conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found male drivers aged between 17 and 29 are more than twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured than their female counterparts.

This is despite many young male drivers believing they are more skilful on the road than the average motorist.

An IAM report, entitled The fast and the curious: young people's attitudes to driver training, discovered 62 per cent of respondents in this demographic were of this opinion, compared with 32 per cent of young female drivers.

IAM Chief Executive Simon Best said males are overconfident but inexperienced.

"They don't need curfews and other restrictions on their driving, they need to practice and gain driving experience safely," he added.

IAM Drive & Survive recently urged people not to drive after attending a Christmas or new year party, as the alcoholic beverages poured at such celebrations are often stronger than those in bars and pubs, meaning individuals could be over the limit without realising.

Posted by Sarah Bailey