Tue, 04 Apr 2006

New figures show that death rates among Young Drivers have risen significantly over the past five years.

Those aged under 20 are still considered the most inexperienced of drivers, despite the introduction of stricter driving tests. Figures show that a third more Young Drivers were killed on UK roads since 2000, despite a fall in the number of young motorists with driving licences. The total number of deaths per 100,000 of young licence holders has risen from 9.7 in 2000 to 19.2 in 2004.

The AA Motoring Trust has expressed concern that driving at night and a growing trend of Young Drivers to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs could be to blame for the significant increase in deaths.

In addition, the trend to defer taking a test for many young people has actually increased the number of passengers in cars driven by inexperienced friends who have passed.

Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety, explained: "If you are the only person in your group of friends with a licence and always have to do the driving, it may be more tempting to have a drink."

Possible legislation to increase road safety for new drivers could include a ban on driving late at night as well as a limit on the number of passengers carried until drivers have at least two years experience.

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