Statistics show that young drivers, particularly men, are more likely to be involved in car accidents right through their 20’s. Younger drivers are thought to have faster reaction times and the ability to handle their vehicles and so it is thought that other factors pose the risk to the ‘youngsters’:
- Younger men have developed a name for themselves as boy races.
- They are more likely to drink drive / drive after taking drugs
- Younger drivers and their passengers are less likely to wear seatbelts
- Younger drivers tend to buy older cars or new cars that are small and not as safe in an accident
- They have a sense of indestructibility and drive like’ bat out of hell’ down familiar roads.
- Confidence and cockiness get the better of them when they take unnecessary risks overtaking though impatience.
Although statistics show the number of people dying on the road has seriously reduced, the number of younger drivers dying from car accidents is still worryingly high.
BBC news reports the story of Nick Bennett who lost everything due to his impatience getting the better of his.
Once Summers day he had taken his girlfriend home and was on his way home himself. He was familiar with the roads and was frustrated by being stuck behind two slow moving cars.
He wanted to drive fast in his beloved ‘boy racer’ Corsa and decided not to wait behind the cars any longer. He sped up and pulled out to overtake the cars.
Unfortunately he ploughed straight into an oncoming truck. Nick was not wearing a seat belt and as a result aggressively hit his steering wheel which collapsed both lungs. He sustained serious head and chest injuries and his brain stem had been twisted during the impact.
He remained in a coma for 3 weeks, and even after his wake he drifted in and out of consciousness. He was in hospital for around 2 years battling life threatening injuries all caused through his own fault.
He lost his girlfriend and most of the friends he had before the accident. Six years on Nick still has difficulty with speech and still requires help preparing meals and dressing himself.
Now more than ever we wish to send a message out to all of you to raise awareness for your own and others safety:
- Make sure you wear your seatbelt
- Do not drink and drive
- Be patient, make sure there is enough room and you can see the road ahead before overtaking
- Ensure you and your passengers make it home safely
