Calls for more to be done to help prevent young drivers from being involved in road traffic accidents will be welcomed by newly-qualified drivers who opt for third party young drivers insurance.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging the Government to consider reforming methods for teaching and testing drivers in an effort to reduce the number of inexperienced drivers involved in accidents.

RoSPA have released figures showing that 1 in 5 drivers are involved in an accident within the first year of passing their driving test, especially male drivers aged between 16 and 19. The figures also show that there has been very little change in the number of young drivers killed in road traffic accidents since the mid-1990s.

Young drivers are more prone to be involved in accidents on bends or in the dark and crashes due to loss of control of the vehicle or inappropriate speed.

RoSPA’s Kevin Clinton pointed out that policies implemented to help protect young drivers are due to reach target deadlines soon. He said: “It is exactly the right time to reflect on what measures have been effective and how they can best be targeted and delivered.”

The announcement comes at the same time as Transport for London (TfL) research reveals that over the past 3 years, Croydon has had the second highest rate of serious or fatal road accidents amongst young drivers in London. In total, 81 youngsters aged between 17 and 25 were involved in an accident that caused serious injury or death.

Although third party young drivers insurance might be cheaper, if involved in an accident, young motorists may have to pay for repairs to their own vehicle.

Young drivers insurance is one of the first hurdles newly qualified drivers face after passing their driving test. Car insurance for young drivers can be expensive as they are regarded as high risk but there are ways to reduce the cost of young drivers insurance.

Young Drivers Insurance - Pass Plus

Young drivers who have passed the ‘Pass Plus’ exam may qualify for a discount of up to 30% on their first year’s young drivers insurance policy. Pass Plus builds confidence and improves young drivers’ skills and awareness by providing first-hand experience of driving at night and in all weather conditions as well as practice at driving in cities, out of town, on motorways and dual carriageways.

Pass Plus is made up of 6 modules which cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. Pass Plus can be taken at any time within 12 months of passing your driving test and is usually taken by newly qualified motorists or teenagers hoping to get a discount on their young drivers insurance.

Young Drivers Insurance - Cheaper Car Insurance

There are other ways to reduce the cost of young drivers insurance:

• Add a parent to the car insurance policy as a named driver
• Offer to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim
• Have safety features such as a Thatcham approved alarm or an immobiliser fitted by a professional
• Find somewhere secure to keep your car overnight – preferably in a garage or parked off-road
• Drive safely and build up a No Claim Bonus
• Avoid after-market modifications to your car as these must be declared to the car insurance company and they may charge more

Follow these tips and you should qualify for a discount on your young drivers insurance policy.

Young Drivers Insurance always includes some exclusions and limitations which should be checked carefully. If in doubt you should check your car insurance policy wording carefully.

Visit www.car-insuranceuk.com regularly for the latest car insurance news and links to young drivers insurance providers. Please follow the links on this page to obtain your own personalised young drivers insurance quote and make your own comparison.

© February 2009