A new study from Regtransfers sees the British public cast their votes on hot topics around road safety, increased legal ages for driving and car ownership confidence.
With over-70s facing driving bans over failed eye tests, calls to ban new drivers from carrying passengers and the government under criticism for failing to include stronger driving licence rules for new and young motorists, motoring experts and private plate supplier Regtransfers have recently polled the British public for their views on road safety matters.
When asked, 51% of participants said they believed all UK driving licence holders, regardless of age, should be legally required to retake a driving test, or similar competency assessment, every 10 years to prove they can still drive safely. A third agreed with the concept, but said that it should only apply to those over a certain age.
What’s more, while the current legal driving age is 17, 3 in every four participants of the poll (75%) felt that the legal age of drivers should increase. A third (34%) stated that it should see a small increase to 18 years old, while another third (35%) said it would be best to increase the minimum legal age to 21. A small percentage (7%) even felt the driving age should increase to as high as 25 years old.
Statistics published on the gov.uk indicated that young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 are 4 times as likely to be killed or seriously injured, compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.
While the most common contributing factor to incidents, across all ages, was ‘failure to look properly’, younger drivers were more likely to be faced with factors such as ‘driver careless, reckless or in a hurry’, ‘loss of control’ and ‘exceeding speed limit’.
When asked of their own experiences of incidents, defined as “any collision causing damage to a vehicle or object”, nearly two in every five respondents reported that they experienced their first accident within one year of driving.
As DVSA data indicates, 17-year-olds account for the largest share of driving tests taken per year – around a third of all UK tests taken, with a 54% pass rate. Given this, it is reasonable to assume that many of those involved in early collisions are newly licensed 17-year-olds.
By comparison, the proportion of test-takers steadily declines with age: 19% at 18, 19% across 19–21, and just 15% for those aged 22–29. This concentration of young drivers at the very start of their motoring lives means that, for a significant number, the first year of driving – often beginning at 17 – coincides with the period of highest accident risk.
Commenting on the findings of their study, Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee said, “These findings show just how strongly the public feels about road safety, with support for measures that go further than the current rules we have in place.
“The introduction of regular competency checks and higher minimum driving ages would no doubt be costly to implement, but I imagine some – certainly a number of our study participants – might say there’s no price too great for the reassurance that every road user – whether 17 or 70 – has the necessary skills to drive safely.”
It’s interesting to see that many drivers admit to having an accident in their very first year behind the wheel. That should give policymakers pause for thought, because it reinforces official data indicating that younger and less experienced motorists are significantly more vulnerable.
“Our study has shown that Britain has a desire for change. People want stronger safeguards in place, and motorists themselves are calling for bold thinking to reduce risks and make our roads safer for everyone.”
