Campaign launched to warn young drivers

Road Safety GB North East launched a Young Driver campaign on Monday as it revealed the main causes of accidents for people aged between 17 and 24 are failing to look properly, risk-taking, distraction, speeding, inexperience and driving while impaired by drink or drugs.

Paul Watson, chairman of Road Safety GB North East, said: “We know a lot of young drivers are good drivers, however, figures show that if you are aged 17 to 24 you are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than other people.

“This may be due to their own actions or simply inexperience at avoiding the dangerous actions of other drivers.

“We are urging young drivers to do everything they can to safeguard themselves and their passengers, by being sensible and taking responsibility for each other.

“If the driver is acting irresponsibly, tell them to stop. If a passenger is distracting the driver, do something about it. Good mates do what’s right and look out for each other.”

Between 2011 and 2015, almost a third of road accident injuries in the region related to collisions involving young drivers.

While young drivers were not at fault for all collisions they were involved in, figures showed that about 20 per cent of all people injured were aged between 17 and 24, despite that age bracket only accounting for only seven per cent of driving licence-holders.

The rural counties of County Durham and Northumberland have the highest young driver casualties.

For more information about Road Safety GB North East and the campaign, visit www.lookoutroadsafety.co.uk