Chucking out time worst for accidents

Young drivers need more encouragement to stop them driving while drunk as alarming new figures show that fatality rates remain high.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is calling upon the government to step up efforts to tackle the problem of young motorists driving home from the pub.

According to the organisation, the number of young males killed or seriously injured on the roads is three times higher between 23:00 and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays than at any other time.

“Every weekend 76 young male drivers are killed or seriously injured driving between 23:00 and 01:00,” Justin Jacobs, motor manager at the ABI, told a conference for motor charity Brake. “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,” he added.

Mr Jacobs also called for a limit to the number of passengers that young drivers are allowed to carry, citing statistics which show that a youngster with three or more passengers in his car is three times more likely to crash.

Young motorists can bring down their car insurance premiums by shopping around for an insurer that offers competitive rates to those who only drive in certain conditions.

Tags: three times, time."Every weekend, motorists driving home, Traffic collision, American Beverage Institute, certain conditions, Association of British Insurers

Young drivers offered premium break

A leading car insurance firm is offering young drivers a financial break if they sign up to its Safe Driving Agreement.

NFU Mutual is offering youngsters a £100 discount on premiums if they sign the document which requires them to take care on the roads.

As part of the deal, drivers will promise to adhere to the rules of the road, only drive at certain times and avoid eating and smoking at the wheel.

“They must promise to confirm their destination in advance, to drive only between agreed times of the day, to ensure they and their passengers always wear seat belts, never drink or take drugs and drive… not use a mobile phone whilst driving and avoid being distracted through fiddling with the stereo,” said NFU Mutual’s Laura Wood.

The deal has been drawn up in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and follows a speech by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) which called for more action from the government.

Ms Wood added: “Young drivers are more likely to crash than older more experienced drivers, in part due to their lack of driving experience but also due to their attitude to the road and being unaware of potential dangers.”

Young drivers generally pay higher insurance premiums as they are deemed to be more likely to be involved in an accident.

Tags: advance, NFU, society, abi, care, whilst, document, Traffic collision