First-year drivers twice as likely to make a collision claim
Drivers in their first year are more than twice as likely to make a collision claim compared to more experienced motorists.
According to new research carried out by Aviva, 11% of drivers make a collision claim in their first 12 months. This compares to five per cent of motorists who have driven for more than a year.
In 2024, 15% of car driver fatalities were younger drivers and young male drivers aged 17-24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured on UK roads, compared with drivers aged 25 or over.
Meanwhile, 4,740 people were killed or seriously injured in car collisions involving a young driver, equivalent to a fifth of all collisions.
Inexperience
Owen Morris, CEO UK personal lines, Aviva, said: “Sadly, too many people are seriously injured or killed on our roads every year through driving inexperience and poorer driving behaviours involving young drivers.
“Action needs to be taken to make our roads safer, not just for young drivers, but also vulnerable road users and other motorists who may be involved in accidents where a younger person is driving.”
Telematics
Morris said telematics policies can have a positive impact on road safety by improving driving behaviour.
He continued: “By monitoring when, where and how people are driving, telematics can act as a virtual coach, providing advice on improving riskier behaviours, incentivising safer driving and helping to reduce premiums. Importantly, telematics can provide reassurance to young motorists and their families, particularly when they are driving alone or at night.
“We’d encourage government to consider making telematics policies a legal requirement for young people during their first year of driving.
“Additional measures, including exempting young driver telematics policies from Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) in the first driving year, could also help make insurance more accessible and affordable.”
