With the AA’s call for young drivers to have further training before they are allowed on the roads, it makes us think whether they have any faith in young drivers what so ever. The AA said that in their latest poll at least two thirds of teenagers admit that they know someone who has either been killed or seriously injured in a road traffic accident. They are calling for road awareness lessons to be taken in school to make teenagers more aware of the dangers of driving.
For any young driver passing their driving test, especially young male drivers, they will be aware that insurance rates are going through the roof. For some male drivers insuring their first car quotes are between £2000-£2500. For anyone with a teenage son, they know that this is probably twice the amount they paid for their car. This is because statistics show that young male drivers are most likely to be involved in a car accident.
When disputed road traffic accidents happen, a court can decide where the negligence between both parties’ is. They will look at a number of factors including:
- The location the accident took place, for example at a stop junction or a duel carriageway.
- The speed of both vehicles
- The weather conditions
- Statements from witnesses and those involved in the accident
It is understandable that when we first get into a car, away from our driving instructor, we feel a sense of freedom. Ask any teenager and they will say one of their proudest moments was the day they passed their driving test. I was 18 when I passed mine, and I still remember how it feels. It’s fine to feel excited when you want to get out on the road, but what you also have to remember is that you are now in control of your life and you also have the lives of other people on the road to be responsible for.
When on the road this responsibility is known as the ‘duty of care’ to other road users. Other road users include fellow motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. In the unfortunate event that you do become involved in a car accident with another road user, both parties may have been found partially negligent; sometimes known as contributory negligence.
