Parents fears for young drivers

Research undertaken by Direct Line* has revealed that parents of young, novice drivers worry that their children are under prepared once they pass their driving test and fear for their safety. Many feel their children pass their test and are not equipped with the skills for driving on motorways (58 per cent), driving on dual carriageways (24 per cent), driving in congested city centres (36 per cent) and driving in the dark (39 per cent).

The research, which polled 1,000 parents of children aged 16 – 26 who have a driving licence or are expecting to learn how to drive soon, found that many of the Government’s intentions to improve road safety for young drivers would have strong support from parents:

• 80 per cent of parents believe learner drivers should have lessons on a motorway before they are permitted to take their test.
• 84 per cent of parents believe learner drivers should have lessons after daylight hours before they are permitted to take their test.
• 64 per cent of parents want a minimum supervised learning period for their children.
• 80 per cent of parents agree with the proposal to have a lower/zero alcohol limit for new young drivers.
   

Another key concern for parents of young drivers is their ability to concentrate when they have passengers in the car, as half of parents (50 per cent) believe their children are distracted by their friends talking to them while they are driving.

Just over a third of parents (37 per cent) of children who are currently learning to drive feel they will be unprepared for driving with passengers in the car after passing their test. And almost one in ten (nine per cent) parents of young drivers who have passed their test put a restriction on the number of passengers their child was allowed to have in the car with them when they first passed.

Furthermore, nearly a third (30 per cent) of parents worry their child will be distracted by either their mobile phone or music when they are behind the wheel. Only a fifth (19 per cent) of parents are confident that their children won’t be distracted when they are driving.

A child passing their driving test is a period of great anxiety for parents, with 93 per cent admitting to worrying about their son or daughter’s safety on the road at some point since they received their licence. A quarter (23 per cent) of young drivers’ parents admits they permanently worry about their child’s safety when they are driving.

Tom Woolgrove, managing director at Direct Line, commented: “Too many young people are killed or injured on Britain’s roads today. We need to give young drivers the time to build their confidence and capability to become proficient and safe drivers. We welcome the Government’s recognition that there is a safety issue involving young drivers by their announcement to publish a green paper on young drivers this summer. We agree, along with the majority of parents, that the introduction of a minimum learning period, a lower tolerance limit to alcohol and a restriction on passenger numbers, will all help to reduce the number of car accidents involving under 25s. We need to follow the example of other countries around the world which have seen a reduction in the number of accidents involving young drivers since the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing to help improve road safety for young people in the UK**.”

-ends-

Key facts about accidents involving young drivers in Great Britain 
Young drivers aged 17-24 are involved in crashes that result in one in five road deaths and serious injuries (20 per cent) – that’s 13 deaths and serious injuries every day*** – despite only making up one in eight (12 per cent) of licence holders****.

Notes to editors: 
* Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 1041 parents of children aged 16 – 26 from 22nd to 28th May 2013 
** Getting young drivers back on the road in safety, PACTS report, April 2013 
*** Reported road casualties Great Britain annual report 2011, Department for Transport, 2012 
**** Reported road accidents involving young car drivers: Great Britain 2009, DfT, 2011

For media enquiries please contact: 
Simon Henrick 
Direct Line Press Office 
0208 313 5965 
Simon.henrick@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Company No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting .