Youngsters should steer clear of driving after "chucking out time"

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) today called for action to reduce the number of young newly qualified drivers killed or seriously injured after the pubs and nightclubs close.

The number of young male drivers killed or seriously injured is three times higher during ‘chucking-out time’ between 11pm and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Speaking at the road safety charity Brake conference today (3 May), Justin Jacobs, the ABI’s Motor Manager, said: “Every weekend 76 young male drivers are killed or seriously injured driving between 11pm and 1am. Too often a night on the town ends in tragedy.

“We need a Government information campaign to make young drivers aware of the dangers of driving at night. Some insurers already offer lower premiums to young drivers who only drive during the day.

“A young driver with three or more passengers is three times as likely to be involved in a serious road accident. So we need restrictions on the number of young passengers young drivers under age 20 can carry in the first six months after they pass their driving test.”