Table of Contents
- Do Young Drivers have More Accidents?
- Road Awareness:
- Road Attitude:
- Drive Safely:
- What Is An Aggressive Driver?
- Tips For Coping With Aggressive Drivers
Do Young Drivers have More Accidents?
In July 2005, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) launched a campaign against the rise in teenage death on the roads, and their Director General, Stephen
Haddrill, explained the situation:
"Reducing accidents involving young drivers should be the number one road safety priority for Britain. Research carried out by the insurance industry shows that teenage drivers are 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured while driving than motorists in their 40s. And, while road deaths and serious accidents are falling on average for the majority, they are going up for young people - by a shocking 12% last year. We need a massive effort from everyone to end this tragedy."
The ABI carried out a survey into motoring costs and the risk of accidents involving younger drivers.
They discovered that accidents involving young drivers had different characteristics from those that involved other drivers. Young, usually male, drivers were found to be more likely to have accidents driving at speed or around bends on weekend nights without any other cars being involved, but while carrying passengers. Young males were found to be more frequently at fault for their accidents than either females or older drivers.
In order to reduce the risk of young drivers being involved in accidents, there are a number of areas that need to be addressed:
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Road Awareness:
Young drivers do not have the road knowledge or experience that older drivers do. Many accidents involving younger people happen during bad weather, which suggests they are not able to adapt their driving style appropriately to the conditions. Always take your time to 'read the road' properly, and remember that experience can only come with time. If you're unlucky enough to have an accident, it can dent your confidence and set you back months, even years - not to mention increasing your insurance premium.
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Road Attitude:
Young drivers are suddenly propelled into a position of empowerment when they pass their test and they are likely to drive for pleasure and thrills until the novelty wears off. When surveyed, young drivers viewed breaking the speed limit as a less important factor in causing road accidents than older drivers did. Don't get cocky - just because you have a licence doesn't mean that it won't be taken away again if you drive like an idiot.
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Drive Safely:
As obvious as a pig in a dress, the most effective way for young drivers to reduce their chances of being involved in an accident and bring down their motoring costs, is to drive safely. Insurers can only base their estimates of future risk in part upon your past driving experiences. If you've had an accident free few years, you'll see your no claims bonus start to climb and then you'll start to see a difference. In 4 or more years, it's not unusual to get a 60% reduction on your premium with some companies offering 75% discounts for the 'safest drivers'.
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What Is An Aggressive Driver?
An aggressive driver is one who refuses to stop at red lights. They break the speed limit, tailgate and meander in and out of traffic. They change lanes repeatedly in an unnecessary and unsafe manner, make hand and facial gestures at other drivers, and honk and flash their lights at other vehicles.
As they tend to drive too fast, this leads to them following the car in front too closely, changing lanes a lot and without indication, overtaking on the hard shoulder and verbally or physically jeering drivers who happen to be in front of them. Sometimes this leads to violence and road rage.
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Tips For Coping With Aggressive Drivers
Drive conscientiously. Avoid situations which may aggravate other drivers.
Avoid tailgating.
Limit inappropriate hand and facial gestures.
Don't be tempted to use your horn at aggressive drivers. This only serves to draw their attention to you. Even a polite beep can be misconstrued.
Avoid making eye contact with aggressive drivers and be sure to leave them lots of room.
Distance yourself as much as possible.
Do not attempt to match their speed. This will only anger them further.
Wear your seat-belt in case you need to make sudden adjustments and it will protect you in an accident.
Inform the authorities of aggressive drivers. Report the vehicle description, registration plate details and location, along with the direction that they were heading in if possible. The colour and make of the car is also helpful, as is anything identifiable about the driver. This could potentially avoid a major accident.
If an aggressive driver is later involved in a crash, stop a little way from the scene and let the police know about the inappropriate driving that you saw when they arrive.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust - the leading authority for personal safety- advises doing the following: "To put off a driver who is following you, a mobile phone or even a toy phone can be useful. Give the driver the impression that you are calling 999 and reading their license plate number to the police on the phone. There is a good chance they will stop pestering you." For more information, visit Suzy Lamplugh Trust .
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