RAC response to postponement of Government Green Paper on Young Driver Safety

The RAC’s Technical Director David Bizley said: “While the issues surrounding young drivers are indeed emotive and varied, it is essential not to lose sight of the fact that they are still the most likely group of drivers to be seriously injured or killed on the roads. Young drivers aged under 25 make up 25% of all those drivers killed or seriously injured on the road network, but account for only 8% of licence holders. They also drive, on average, less than half as far as those aged over 25. This is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently.

“Our research shows that young drivers are willing to consider extra training and many admit to feeling nervous and anxious about driving at night, on motorways and in adverse weather. They also pay the price for their relatively high safety risk in very high insurance premiums.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that there has been a further delay to the green paper which was originally scheduled for publication this summer. We want to see concerted action from Government, insurers and other stakeholder groups to address a problem that is a top priority for improving safety on our roads.”