Young drivers cause more than a third of pedestrian casualties!
on January 6th, 2011 at 9:59 pmThe massive reduction in fatalities within our two most vulnerable age groups is the key finding of Younger and older road users, published today by the IAM as the latest in its series of IAM Motoring Facts 2010/2011. Fatalities have fallen 33 per cent in the 16-19 year old bracket, 25 per cent for drivers in their 70s, and 22 per cent for drivers aged 80 and over since 2008. Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research, said: “While these reductions are really positive, we must continue to support these drivers, who are among the most vulnerable on our roads. The fatality rate continues to be highest for 16-19-year olds, followed by the over 80s, but for very different reasons.” “The greatest risk to the oldest age group on the road is as a pedestrian. In comparison, younger people are much more at risk as a driver or as a passenger in a car driven by a young driver. Pedestrian risk increases from two per cent of those injured aged between 20 and 50, to around nine per cent aged 80 and over. The greatest risk to pedestrians is car drivers under 30 who are involved in more than a third of pedestrian fatalities.” During their teens and twenties, the risk of young drivers being killed halves every five years as they gain more driving experience. Mr Greig continued: “This lends weight to the IAM’s call for post-test training to be made compulsory in a form similar to that of the system in countries like Austria*1, where reductions of up to 30 per cent in young male driver fatalities have been achieved. If new drivers can be kept alive during this most dangerous stage of their driving career, the risk of them becoming another killed or seriously injured statistic reduces significantly.” More
