Car insurance for young drivers
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) released a study in 2008 that showed that 18 year olds are the most likely to be involved in a road accident.
Each day 50 accidents are caused by 18 year olds which is the highest rate of any age group and three times higher than the number of accidents involving people between 50 and 60 years of age.
The ABI also found that young drivers are ten times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in road accidents than those in the 40-50 age range. The safety campaign organisation BRAKE states that young drivers account for 40% of deaths on the roads.
A major reason for these figures is probably that a young driver will be less experienced on the roads than older drivers, making them less likely to anticipate and react to the dangers they face while driving. Of course there are also drivers in this category who sully the reputation of their peers with an approach to driving which can only be called irresponsible. So what lessons can be learned?
How a young driver can stay safe
The best way to stay safe on the roads is to drive responsibly. Your friends may attempt to pressure you in to potentially risky behaviours such as speeding, attempting risky manoeuvres or driving in a reckless manner and you should avoid giving in to these pressures. Driving in a way you feel comfortable with and observing the laws of the road is important since the laws are there for your own protection.
Some things to consider include:
Don’t speed
As the slogan goes ‘speed kills’. Excess speed reduces the time you have to recognise and react to unexpected situations so keep your speed sensible.
Don’t cram in passengers
It is illegal and unsafe to drive with more passengers in the car than it was designed for. In the USA there are restrictions in place on the number of car passengers a teenage driver is allowed to carry at the same time, this restriction has resulted in a 37% drop in the number of fatal accidents involving inexperienced drivers.
‘Drive like you own the car, not the road’
Your car is your property and probably one of the most expensive items you own so why place it and yourself at unnecessary risk. Look out for other road users and pedestrians – be responsible.
Stay in control
You can’t control the way the car behind you is driven, so don’t let that car’s driver control how you drive. Resist being pressured to break the speed limit or to run a red light just because of an impatient driver behind you.
Be realistic about your experience level
If you are fresh from driving lessons you should not yet have developed the sorts of bad habits that some drivers tend to develop over the course of time. Remember that as the more inexperienced driver on the road you should be taking extra care, particularly in bad weather or when driving at night.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
Driving under the influence is illegal not to mention foolish, even if it doesn’t lead to an accident it can cost you your licence. Any amount of substance taken can slow your reactions, and also try to avoid giving a lift to someone who has been drinking as this can be distracting. Also be aware that it is not only alcohol and illegal drugs that can alter your reaction times even legal drugs such as cough syrup could have a negative effect.
Take lessons with a professional driving school
One way to prepare yourself in the best way possible is to take lessons from a professional driving instructor who is fully qualified and accredited such as those here at the Cambridge Driving School, and will help you to learn in the correct way. It may be tempting to learn from family and friends to save some money but remember that they will may not be up to date with the latest rules and may have bad habits they have picked up during their own driving experience. A professional instructor will give you the best preparation possible for life on the roads.
Consider your car insurance
Driving safely saves lives and also money. The average price of car insurance for a young driver between the age of 17-25 is according to a comparison website to be £989 that’s more than double the national average.
For cheap young driver's car insurance, staying accident and conviction free will help you to build a no-claims bonus which will help cut the cost of your policy. Some insurers even offer a scheme which allows you to build your no-claims bonus faster; some will allow you to earn a full years bonus in just 6 – 9 months.
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