30 August 2007
A national road safety charity has called for car insurance providers to work together to tackle dangerous driving habits, after a major survey uncovered a growing trend of young drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
According to a report by road safety organisation Brake in conjunction with Co-operative Insurance (CIS), one in five teenage drivers aged 17 to18-years-old confessed to drink-driving. Furthermore, one in fourteen young people has driven while on drugs.
The survey also reveals that young people are putting the lives of their friends at risk, with a third of respondents saying they had been a passenger in a car while the driver was drunk or drugged.
The trend is all the more alarming given the fact that four 17-18-year-olds are killed or injured in the UK everyday.
Indeed, recent government statistics show drivers in this age group are 14 times more likely to be involved in a drink-drive crash than 35 to 49-year-old motorists.
Now CIS has backed a campaign by Brake to urge the government to take action to improve driver safety, as well as to rally the car insurance industry into looking at ways of incentivising novice drivers to be more aware of road safety.
"Clearly too many young drivers are risking their lives and the lives of others by driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs," David Neave, CIS Director of General Insurance, said.
"As a responsible insurer our role isn't just about picking up the pieces when dealing with the resultant claims.
"Our message is clear - let's stop the growing number of fatalities by sending out the message that even one drink or a relatively small amount of drugs in your system is too much.
"Young drivers need to act responsibly and not bow to peer pressure. The decision not to drive on drink or drugs could be the most important decision you will ever make."
Brake and CIS are calling for road safety education to be part of the national curriculum as well as the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL).
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