A Big Milestone

Celebrating your 17th birthday is a big day, because the law now allows you to start learning to drive. This is one of the biggest milestones in our lives as the ability to drive opens the door to greater freedom and independence. But this new chapter in a young person’s life also comes with responsibility. Responsibility for the safety of others as well as themselves.

Young drivers tend to have good vehicle control skills because they have recently had driving lessons.  Young drivers also tend to have faster reactions, but they tend not to “read” the road, and do not identity potential hazards far enough in advance.  Using observations and interpretation is seen as a skill that has to be practiced.

The urge to “impress” your mates is much stronger in the young driver than with the more experienced motorist and is all down to how our brains develop.  This urge coupled with the lack of experience can mean driving too fast for the road conditions, taking unnecessary risks and generally showing off, which can often end with serious consequences, from jail sentences for causing death by dangerous driving to the most tragic: loss of life.

Mobiles and driving do not mix; neither does playing loud music, which could distract and affect concentration. Not exclusive to younger drivers by any means, but by the very nature of the technology young drivers are early adopters of the latest models and most teenagers would suffer withdrawal symptoms if their mobile phone was taken away or even switched off. 

In 2015, young drivers aged 17-24 made up only 7% of UK full driving licence holders yet were involved in 22% of fatal or serious collisions in which they were the driver.

GoSafe are eager to educate and change the attitudes of young drivers towards road safety. We can all contribute to the safety of our roads and help reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions on Welsh roads every year.

• Wear a seatbelt – you and your passengers

• Follow the speed limits - driving slower allows you to read the road, react in better time and also means any injuries would be lower than if you were travelling at speed

• Don’t drive tired – take breaks on long journeys

• Don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs, it severely hampers your reactions

• Watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, horses and other road users

• Don’t stress when other road users make mistakes. Keep calm, keep your distance

• Take extra care at night and in bad weather

• Don’t use your mobile when driving

• If you have that mate who is distracting or irresponsible in a car, whether as a driver or passenger: don’t drive with them, they could be a deadly mate www.deadlymates.com

Be safe. Be aware. GoSafe