Whether you have just passed your test, or you are completely new to driving, as a new driver you will undoubtedly be faced with situations that will require you to act, quickly and decisively in the moment. It’s important to always make sure you drive within the speed limits as this will allow you extra time to react.
It goes without saying, that driving is a privilege and not a right. Being a responsible road user, means driving within the law and never under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You must also be aware of how long drink & drugs can stay in your system, as you could well be over the legal limit to drive long after consumption.
1 in 5 new drivers crash within a year of passing their test. The main reasons for this are a combination of inexperience and unnecessary risk taking, such as dangerous overtaking or speeding for example.
HOW PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN HELP
Parents and guardians can play a vital role in helping reduce this risk by ensuring young drivers gain as much experience of driving, prior to their test, as possible. This can be with lessons with a professional driving instructor and/or supervised driving with a suitable adult.
TOP TIPS
- Ensure the instructor or supervisor meets all legal requirements for teaching a learning to drive. They must:
- be at least 21 years of age
- hold a full licence that matches the car type (automatic or manual)
- have held their licence for more than three years.
- Encourage new drivers to obtain as much practise as possible. Research indicates 120 hours of driving experience is required. Alarmingly data shows the average number of hours taken by learner drivers is just 40 hours!
- Encourage the learner driver to take further training once they have passed their practical test (e.g. Pass Plus)
- Ensure the learner is insured to drive the vehicle in which they are being instructed.
- Encourage safe & considerate behaviour to all other road users.
Always set a good example to new/learner drivers with your own driving.
AFTER THE TEST
It’s not uncommon to hear the expression “well now you have passed your test, you’ll really start to learn to drive” and it cannot be understated how the learning process in no way stops once you’ve passed your test.
Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) schemes are designed to protect young drivers in the first few months after passing their test, when they are most at risk. GDL has already been introduced to some countries, although is not yet mandatory in the UK. However, parents and guardians can still help reduce the risk to young drivers by implementing their own agreements/ground rules with a young driver to ensure road safety is always a first priority.
Did you know motorways are the safest roads in the country? Whilst motorways have a lower than average collision count when collisions do occur, they are often severe due to the higher speeds involved. In June 2018, it became legal for learner drivers to take motorway driving lessons with an approved driving instructor. This means learner drivers are able to gain a broader understanding of how to use motorways safely. Driving at higher speeds, safe overtaking and merging are all vital road skills which are essential to master on the road to becoming a competent driver.
Whilst motorway experience is part of the professional driver education pathway, Surrey RoadSafe advocates for supplementary supervised learning from parents and guardians after they’ve passed the test. This affords newly qualified drivers the opportunity to gain valuable experience in this environment, until such a time that they feel ready to drive safely on motorways independently.
Night driving and driving in adverse weather are just two other areas in which a newly qualified driver may not have much experience (especially if learning in the summer). Being able to drive in these conditions under supervision will build confidence and give them the best start in their motoring journey. The driving test in it’s current form provides only the minimum standard so further training is vital.
ADVICE FOR NEW DRIVERS
As a new driver you must be able to confidently manage your vehicle as well as the the safety and wellbeing of yourself, your passengers and other road users.
FATAL 5
The Fatal 5 are the top five contributing factors to death & serious injury on the roads. Sadly, young drivers are far more likely to take risks associated with these contributory factors. Be aware of the Fatal 5, avoid the behaviours, know the risks and stay safe on the road!
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Excessive and inappropriate speed
Excessive or inappropriate speed contributes towards a high number of crashes involving young drivers in the UK and elsewhere.
Data shows that young drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash caused by excessive speed. Young men, who are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash caused by speeding than young female drivers.
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Distracted driving (e.g. driving whilst using a mobile phone)
Evidence suggests young drivers are more likely than older drivers to use their mobile phones at the wheel: around half of young people (aged 17-24) admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel, the highest proportion of all age categories.
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Drink & drug driving
Young drivers are reported as having the highest rate of driving whilst impaired by alcohol of all age groups.
When it comes to drug driving, the younger the driver, the more likely they are to being reported for driving when under the influence of illegal drugs.
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Failing to wear a seatbelt
Young drivers and passengers are less likely to always wear seat belts and may not belt up when in a car with friends due to peer pressure. The driver must always ensures that any passengers over the age of 14 know they are responsible for fastening their own seatbelts. However, it is recommended that the driver makes sure all passengers are wearing seat belts before setting off.
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Careless and inconsiderate driving (e.g. risky overtaking, driving while tired, driving too close to the vehicle in front etc.)
Inexperience makes young drivers particularly vulnerable, and risk taking/dangerous behaviours exacerbates this. The message for young drivers is avoid taking unnecessary risks and don’t succumb to peer pressure.
Remember, irresponsible driving risks not only your life, but the lives of others too.
For more further information take a look here.
PASSENGERS
Peer pressure can encourage bad driving and result in drivers ‘showing off’ to their passengers and taking more risks. Newly qualified drivers with a car full of passengers of similar age are four times more likely to be in a fatal crash, compared with when driving alone or with older passengers.
As a passenger ensure that you DO NOT distract the driver under any circumstances – driving is a skill which requires undivided attention and concentration at all times.
Do not be afraid to refuse to travel with any driver if you suspect their driving has been impaired or is dangerous. Always wear your seatbelt.
New Drivers & The Law
Penalty points and disqualification are slightly different for new drivers, in acknowledgement of the increased risk they face on the roads.
Your licence will be cancelled (revoked) if you get six or more points within two years of passing your test.
If your licence is cancelled within two years, you will have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving test again to get a full licence.
Any penalty points on provisional licences that have not expired are carried over to the full licence when someone has passed their test.
Visit GOV.UK website for more information on penalty points for new drivers.
