Press Releases from Be Wiser

Young Drivers Are Getting ‘Safer on the Roads’

Young Drivers Are Getting ‘Safer on the Roads’

Road deaths in 2008 plummeted to their lowest numbers since modern records began. Not since 1928 have the recorded death and accident rates been so low, deaths dropping by 7% while serious casualties dropped by 4% in the same period.

As usual, young men were the most likely candidates to be involved in road accidents with key contributing factors being “speed and inappropriate behaviour.”

Figures show that 42% of fatal accidents involved young male drivers. Because of these statistics car insurance for young men continues to cost significantly more than for female drivers of the same age.

Yet it was among young drivers that 50% of the improvements in the safety record took place. This suggests that young drivers are finally getting the message about safer driving.

Mark Bower-Dyke, Chairman of Be Wiser Insurance, said:

“It’s good to see that the accident numbers among young drivers have fallen. However, young drivers are still the least experienced group of people on the road, making them more susceptible to accidents which, unfortunately, results in higher insurance premiums. We need to encourage them to drive safely and build up their driving experience and no claims bonus”.

Other statistics suggest that older drivers will often be involved in road incidents because of their inability to see properly and, surprisingly, judgement. It is suggested by the Department of Transport that older drivers often suffer from over-confidence when they get behind the wheel and may lose control of the car through this complacency.

“Although complacency may exist among older drivers on the road, they are statistically the safer drivers. At Be Wiser Insurance, we recommend that drivers ensure their eyesight meets the required legal standards for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road. Be Wiser rewards safe drivers who have a good no claims history with lower insurance premiums” Bower-Dyke comments.

As Government attempts to make the roads safer by enforcing a minimum one-year learning period on learner drivers, we could potentially see a fall in both deaths and a likely drop in young driver’s insurance premiums.

Other ideas such as restrictions on the number of passengers carried by new drivers could significantly reduce the death toll for young drivers, which in total account for a third of all deaths of 15-19 year olds in the U.K.

So as all these new initiatives help younger drivers improve their skills and safety on the road, maybe Government should look to improve the skills of ‘complacent’ older drivers? Maybe it’s about time they dug up and dusted off that old copy of the Highway Code…

Contact Details

For further information regarding Be Wiser contact:

Mark Bower-Dyke
Chairman
markbowerdyke@bewiser.co.uk

For further information regarding this press release contact:

Lorna Casswell
SilverDisc Limited - PR
bewiser.pr@silverdisc.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. Permission is not required to create direct links to www.bewiser.co.uk
2. www.bewiser.co.uk is an Andover, Hants-based UK broker who provide competitive motor, home and travel insurance via telephone and the Internet. They are noted for great customer service, aftercare and competitive rates.
3. www.bewiser.co.uk compare over 40 of the UK’s leading insurers to find the best insurance policy to meet customers’ individual needs. All motor insurance policies include free RAC breakdown cover.

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