Young male drivers ‘more dangerous’ than women behind the wheel
The younger a driver is, the more likely they are to be in a crash caused by excessive speed. The reality is that speed limits are there for a reason and driving above the speed limit increases the risk of the serious accidents[1] we see every day on our roads. It is a fact lost on too many inexperienced drivers and it is young male drivers who are much more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than their female counterparts, according to Avon Fire and Rescue Service[2].
For some reason, they find it harder to perceive speed as well as other risks on the road, making them more dangerous to themselves and other road users. A shocking five people die each day on UK roads[3], according to road safety charity Brake, with excessive or inappropriate speed being a key contributor towards many of the serious crashes involving inexperienced drivers that lead to grave injuries and, tragically, loss of young lives.
Avon Fire and Rescue, who are there to cut people free from the wreckage after crashes on our roads, says that every time you drive faster than the speed limit, or too fast for the road conditions, you increase your risk of a crash.
This obviously puts the driver at risk but also their passengers as well as other road users. Meghann Elvin, road safety lead at Avon Fire and Rescue, said: “Lots of people wrongly assume that a few miles an hour (mph) above the limit won’t do much harm, or that because other people speed, it must be ok. “Every time you speed, you’re putting lives at risk.
Whether you’re breaking the limit, or driving too fast in the ice, rain, wind or snow, you’re compromising the control you have over your vehicle and both your thinking time and breaking distance.” Avon Fire and Rescue[6] Service has four main pieces of advice for driving this winter:
- Prepare for your journey. Check the weather, and be mindful of ice, rain, and other nasty road conditions.
You should also pack an emergency kit too.
- Consider your route. Remember that poor conditions can make your journey take longer, so think about when you need to leave, and how you can travel safely. You may need to avoid certain roads if they are prone to flooding or dangerous ice.
- Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Make sure you aren’t under the influence of alcohol or substances and medications that can affect your driving.
It’s also important not to drive tired.
- Stick to speed limits and use your head.
Just because the speed limit down a country lane is 60mph, doesn’t mean you should be driving that quickly, especially in bad conditions.
References
- ^ serious accidents (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ according to Avon Fire and Rescue Service (www.avonfire.gov.uk)
- ^ UK roads (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Every mobile speed camera location across Bristol region this week listed in full (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Teen jailed for attempted motorbike robbery caught on camera (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Avon Fire and Rescue (www.bristolpost.co.uk)