Insurethebox reveals young driver data

Analysis from insurethebox reveals the increased risk for young motorists when driving on country roads.

Due to higher speed limits, tighter bends and narrower lanes, country roads are more challenging for motorists whatever their level of experience. But new data from insurethebox shows that the youngest drivers, with the least experience, are the most vulnerable, especially if they speed. Insurethebox is, therefore, urging young motorists to ‘drive for the conditions rather than the speed limit’ on country roads.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), in 2016 more than four out of five fatal casualties of young drivers occurred on rural roads. The DfT also found that collisions on rural roads were more likely to be fatal than those that occurred on urban roads.

Analysis of the insurethebox serious accidents data shows that 56% of all serious accidents were caused by a loss of control. Nearly a third (29%) of serious accidents on country roads are caused by lane crossing or head-on collision and more than 1 in 5 (21%) are caused by pulling out into the path of another vehicle.

insurethebox analysis also found that new drivers are three times as likely to have an accident in the first three months of an insurance policy compared to their final three months. And the youngest drivers in the country (17 years old) are the most at-risk group, due to the higher percentage of time they spend driving on country roads.

Simon Rewell, Road Safety Manager at insurethebox commented, ‘The high level of risk for young drivers is likely to be due to a lack of experience and understanding of safe driving habits. Our goal is to help young motorists understand the risks they take, so that they can learn and adjust their behaviour quickly. A driver’s first year after passing their test is a vital time to create safe driving habits.’