03 February 2011

From: Brake, the road safety charity, PO Box 548, Huddersfield, HD1 2XZ
Tel: 01484 559909 Out of hours: 07976 069159 E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

The charity Brake is calling for action to tackle young driver crashes, as Government statistics published today show that young drivers (age 17-24) continue to be involved in a disproportionately high number of road deaths and injuries.

One in four deaths and serious injuries on British roads in 2009 involved a young driver, despite young people accounting for just one in eight licence holders. Deaths and injuries in crashes involving young drivers have fallen in the past decade, but in 2009 there were still 11 deaths and 111 serious injuries every week involving this age group.

The statistics reveal that:
• Nearly three-quarters (71%) of the young drivers involved in casualties were male.
• Young driver crashes are more likely to involve multiple casualties – the average number of casualties in a young driver crash is 1.56, compared to 1.38 of all crashes.
• Young driver crashes are more likely to occur at night-time at weekends than crashes overall.

Read the Department for Transport statistics bulletin in full here.

Brake is calling on the Government to include measures to tackle young driver casualties, and challenging targets for reducing these casualties, within its strategic framework for road safety, currently being developed. Brake is calling for a system of graduated driver licensing, so novice drivers develop their skills and experience gradually over time, through a minimum learning period and a novice driver period.

Julie Townsend, campaigns director of Brake, says: “Through our support services, Brake hears first-hand about the heartbreak and trauma that the loss of young lives causes. While casualties have fallen, it’s unacceptable that so many families still have to face this devastation every day, as these deaths and injuries are preventable. Graduated driver licensing is shown to be effective in cutting casualties – and could also help us to create a safer driving culture. We hope the Government’s new strategic framework for road safety will include decisive action to stem the waste human life caused by young driver crashes.”

Road Safety Week 2011 (21-27 November), coordinated by Brake, this year will focus on the theme 2Young2Die, encouraging community action to tackle road deaths and injuries among young people. Find out more at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.

Brake supports families who have been bereaved and injured in road crashes, as well as campaigning for safer roads for everyone. Families affected by road casualties can call Brake’s helpline on 0845 603 8570.