Nearly three quarters of fatal accidents involving young drivers occur on rural roads, shows new research by the AA.
The breakdown organisation says 71 percent of all fatal crashes involving drivers aged between 17 and 24 take place on country roads. Motorists in that age bracket are over-represented in rural crashes by nine percent, relative to all roads, with the over-representation highest for those aged 17 (27 percent) and decreasing with every subsequent year.
The AA added the proportion of crashes on rural roads on Sundays is 24 percent higher for young drivers than for others. Young drivers are also at higher risk of a single-vehicle crash.
In addition, young drivers face a higher risk of death (two percent) or serious injury (15.2 percent) when involved in a crash on a rural road compared to an urban road (0.6 percent and 11.3 percent respectively).
The findings come after the AA commissioned analysts at the Road Safety Foundation to study six years’ worth of young driver crash data, which involved injuries of all severities.
“Many young drivers and indeed parents are unaware that rural roads pose a specific and significant risk to young drivers and potentially are much more dangerous than motorways or urban roads, said Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust.
“Seventy-one percent of fatal car crashes involving young drivers take place on rural roads. The research should help target driver education at the times and places young drivers are most at risk.”
Raising awareness is essential – Shapps
Transport secretary Grant Shapps added: “Rural roads are often narrow with blind bends, which is why it’s essential we raise awareness among young people on how to drive safely on them. I strongly support the AA in its work to improve the education of drivers.
“Our award-winning THINK! campaign challenges social norms among younger drivers – including attitudes to speeding and driving on rural roads –and I look forward to working together to prevent further tragedies.”
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