Researchers at Cardiff University believe road traffic accidents and fatalities could be cut by banning young motorists from night driving and carry passengers of a similar age.

The study suggests the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) for 17 to 24-year-olds those aged 17 to 24 for up to two years after they pass their driving tests.

The research analysed accident data in the UK between 2000 and 2007, and found that one in five new motorists crashed within six months of passing their test.

It is thought an estimated £890m – for example in NHS costs – could be saved by the introduction of GDL, which has proved successful in other countries.

Government figures show the number of people killed on British roads in 2009 reached a record low: 2,222.

The total number of casualties last year, including slight injuries, was just over 222,000 – 4% down on the 2008 total – whilst Britain's annual road deaths tally was the lowest of 33 countries surveyed by an international transport body.

However, crashes involving young drivers are increasing, with four people killed or seriously injured daily in accidents involving young motorists.

The Cardiff University researchers believe the introduction of GDL could save more than 200 lives and cut serious injuries each year by 1,700, though some claim it would be too difficult to enforce.

Unfortunately, we see to many accidents involving teenagers. This is often due to inexperience and overconfidence. Speed often plays a part and the results are often serious. 

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has dealt with a number of accidents in which young drivers have been going too fast in wet or icy conditions, resulting in personal injury to themselves, their passengers and other road users. These accidents often happen at night.

Had these young drivers driven according to prevailing road conditions or had the experience to know they needed to adapt their driving style these accidents could have been avoided. We often find that these are young men with a number of passengers the same age. 

The ideas put forward by Cardiff University, whilst backed by research, aren't new.

RoSPA believes the high rate of accidents involving younger drivers is due to lack of experience, attitude, hazard perception (poor at identifying potential hazards and assessing risk) peer pressure and gender, and has suggested that younger drivers are barred from using the family car at night.

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