New figures released by the RAC Foundation show that the teenage driver death toll is rising. Book Theory Test Today analyses the latest data highlighting a growing problem.
Book Theory Test Today says: “It’s tragic that the teenage driver death toll continues to soar and continues to paint young motorists in a bad light. There’s no doubt that the figures produced by the RAC will strengthen the case for the UK to have a graduated driver licensing system.â€
Teenage driver death toll facts
The RAC’s stark figures reveal that one in four teenage passengers are killed or seriously injured per week in motoring accidents. 2013 – the most recent year for which data is available – saw 234 passengers seriously injured or killed in the UK as a result of a young motorist [aged 17-19] they were travelling with ending up in a crash.
The figures calculated by the RAC Foundation are the first ever that they’ve produced in relation to the teenage driver death involving teenage passengers.
The foundation said that if the results were inclusive of minor injuries, the total would have soared to 2,144 or approximately 41 per week. Previous research published by the foundation indicates that while 17 to 19-year-old motorists only account for 1.5% of UK driving licences, they’re involved in 12% of serious accidents involving injury or fatality.
Why is the teenage driver death toll rising?
It’s estimated that one in five young drivers passing the DVSA practical test will be involved in an accident within the first six months of having a licence. Â
According to the RAC Foundation, the teenage driver death toll is rising because it has become a ‘neglected problem.’     Â
RAC Foundation director, Professor Stephen Glaister, said: “It is a great disappointment that successive governments have failed to tackle an issue that is causing so much physical and emotional pain.
If this was any other area of social and health policy there would be debates in parliament and marches on Downing Street, but for some reason society seems to tolerate the carnage on our roads particularly that involving young people.â€
Glaister wants the new Conservative government to issue a green paper on the safety of young motorists, a request he made under the previous coalition government, but failed to materialise despite numerous promises.
Graduated driver licensing
 The RAC Foundation has joined many of the UK’s other road safety campaigners in calls for a graduated driver licensing scheme to be introduced. They say it would be a significant step towards reducing the teenage driver death toll.
Glaister said: “Graduated licensing has been common in many countries for some time and would help keep newly qualified young drivers, and their passengers, safe during the critical first 1,000 miles after people have passed their test. It’s a travesty that it has not been introduced or even debated as a policy option.â€
Book Theory Test Today
Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…
Tags: Book theory test today, Book your theory test, Book your theory test online, Book your theory test online today, DVSA practical test, Graduated driver licensing, practical test, RAC, RAC foundation, teenage driver, Teenage Driver Death Toll, Theory Test
