A&A Group calls for measures to protect teen motorists

Teenage drivers are nearly twice as likely to make a claim in their first year behind the wheel than drivers of 25 and older, according to shock new figures.

Figures supplied by the A & A Group Ltd show that taking an average of 2003, 2004 and 2005 figures, 38 per cent of 17 and 18 year old drivers made a claim, compared to 20 per cent of those aged 25 and above.

To further put this into perspective whilst only one in 15 drivers is aged under under 25, more than one in four drivers killed are in this age group. Furthermore one in four drivers causing death by dangerous driving are under the age of 20.

"These figures are totally unacceptable and must be reduced", says Tony Allen the Chief Executive of the A & A Group who is calling for measures to be introduced to protect younger drivers.

"As one of the leading insurance intermediaries specialising in young drivers we see the devastating affects of these claims, which can be horrific."

Tony Allen cites two recent claims. The first relates to a 17 year old driver who lost control when he hit water at 50mph having only passed his test the month before.

The vehicle rolled resulting in the insured suffering a broken leg, serious injuries for all passengers including a 16 year old female who had severe injuries and since required a substantial sum for her care per year.

The second claim was even more shocking. Again with only one month’s driving experience under his belt an 18 year old driver lost control and hit a tree. One female passenger was killed whilst two other passengers aged 16 and 17 sustained serious injuries.

The A & A Group are urging manufacturers to look at what steps can be taken to protect younger drivers in their first few months on the road as they gain vital experience.

Among the measures suggested, which could also help cut insurance premiums for teenage drivers, are hi-tech speed-limiters which could be fitted to any vehicle to cap its velocity and additional lessons on road craft.

Other measures could include defensive driving courses to teach motorists how to react if something goes wrong, more Pass Plus exams to give extra tuition and assessment on, among other things, motorway driving, P plates to show other drivers that the driver has only recently passed their test, and additional speed limits for drivers in the first six months after their test.

"If some or all of these measures were introduced, young drivers would not only be better protected on the roads but could also have significantly lower premiums," said Tony Allen.

"The statistics back-up what we already know about younger, inexperienced drivers but what has not been tackled is how to cut the number of accidents among inexperienced road users and help them gain more road awareness from the start.

"We believe it is vital that steps are taken to help young drivers and cut the horrific number of accidents in this sector."

"Employing measures such as a speed limiter could drastically reduce the number of accidents and the severity of injury when there is a collision," he added.

Tony Allen also raised the question of premiums which reflect the high level of claims from young drivers. In fact, if a young driver goes for their first six months on the road without having an accident, the rate can drop by as much as 25 per cent.

He said: "We are looking at ways of offering reduced premiums to young drivers who undertake extra training and go that extra mile to ensure they are as safe as possible when they get behind the wheel."

Other suggested measures include lowering the drink drive limit for new drivers, as in some other countries on the Continent, as this could also help reduce accidents among inexperienced motorists.

"If by introducing new measures to protect young drivers we can go some way towards reducing these horrific instances and in so doing reduce insurance premiums for young drivers then we will have achieved a result," concluded Tony Allen.