young and newly qualified drivers
"One in five new drivers has a crash within six months of passing their test."
(Driving Standards Agency, 2008)
“Over 3,000 car drivers under 25 are killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads each year.”
(ROSPA)
Research shows that lack of experience, a risk taking attitude and poor hazard awareness are the main causes for the high accident and fatality rate amongst young drivers.
Benefits of Skid Avoidance training
"Young drivers are more likely to be involved in single vehicle crashes involving loss of control i.e. a skid."
(IAM, 2008)
Because young drivers lack experience, are poor at assessing risks and often drive too fast for the road conditions, they are more likely to lose control of a vehicle on wet or icy roads and skid out of control possibly injuring themselves, their passengers and other road users.
However, by experiencing what it feels like to lose control, in safe controlled conditions, they become more aware of the risk they face. Under expert tuition they are taught the steering and braking techniques vital to controlling a car should they experience aquaplaning or skidding.
Seventeen year old student Tom Davies said he wished he had received the training before he passed his test - two weeks ago he skidded in snow and needed to be cut free from his car unconscious after smashing into a lamp post. After taking the course, he said, "It's been really helpful. If I had known this before the crash, I probably wouldn't have crashed."
NCCC has worked with several Local Authority Road Safety Units, driving schools and charities like BRAKE and the IAM to raise awareness amongst young drivers. If you are considering a Road Safety campaign, please contact debra@nccc.uk.com to find out how we can help.
"Learning how to handle your car in a skid could save your life, but it's also great fun. By the time a young driver has managed to get a car on the road, they and their parents will probably be suffering from cost fatigue. This is a pity because, for around £100, the chances of having an accident can be dramatically reduced with a Skid Avoidance course. Unlike the Pass Plus scheme for newly qualified drivers; skid control training is not yet rewarded with lower insurance premiums. This is a suprising, since 95% of accidents involve a skid of some sort."
(Daily Telegraph, 13.3.09)
