Could the cost of learning to drive be in danger of steering young people into crime?
PSNI statistics show that drivers aged 17 - 25 make up a 'disproportionate percentage' of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.
Too many young drivers put themselves and others at risk by breaking speed limits, taking as few driving lessons as possible and driving without insurance. They would rather break the law than break the bank.
This is a reality that Headliners wants to turn around. By urging capable young drivers reading this article to make a conscious effort to drive safely and legally these statistics and the cost of car insurance for young people could decrease.
It is a catch-22 situation that many young people find themselves in. The insurance is too expensive so they drive without it then they have an accident or get caught and have to pay the price. At Headliners we want to get the message across to young drivers to drive safely and legally even if it does mean being broke.
One young person said: “There are a few that have crashed their cars in my class. It was their parents’ car and they ended up in a ditch, they were driving without insurance. One of the people’s fathers put them in home school and didn’t let them out at all.”
Many teenagers are beginning to learn to drive as early as possible because they want independence. Driving gives them the freedom to be able to go where they want, when they want, without having to worry about whether they have a lift. It also means they can get where they need to go if something goes wrong or even if they just want to go out with friends and they don’t want to have to rely on parents or public transport.
Learning to drive will affect someone for the rest of their lives. It can benefit them to be able to drive to school, work or even go on holiday in their own car.
“Even though they have this freedom it doesn’t mean that they are responsible,” explained Ross Damijo (17) who said: ”I don’t think young people really have the same sort of experience and don’t act as responsibly as older drivers.”
Many teenagers are unable to pay for driving lessons and many don’t qualify for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) so they feel obliged to get a job rather than pressure their parents for money for lessons. Paying for their provisional licence or maintaining the car when they get it, costs money. Even after you pass your test, there is still insurance, tax and petrol to pay for. When a young person gets a part time job to pay for all this it can also eat into their free hours for study and hobbies.
Even with the advances in car safety, it still isn’t the safest activity in the world. Some teenagers don’t feel that it’s necessary to take lots of lessons or have insurance when driving. This may encourage reckless driving or even joy-riding because they’re so desperate to get behind the wheel.
One of the young people that we told about 17-25 year olds causing the most accidents wasn’t shocked. Barry O’ Donnell (17) said: “I’m not surprised at all. People are interested in bad press about young people and it is a well known fact that young people have more car accidents.” It really is better being safe than sorry even if it means spending a pound or two. Your life as a young person is invaluable. Don’t waste it by cutting corners.
Constable Stuart Crutchley, the Road Safety Education Officer for PSNI, G district, said: “Young drivers are a particular focus as they tend to be involved in more collisions. Contributing factors to fatal and serious injury collisions include excess speed, inattention, the influence of drink or drugs, and, of course, inexperience.
“Before any drivers get behind the wheel of a car, they must have the appropriate documentation. This includes valid insurance, driving licence, tax and if necessary, an MOT certificate. Provisional licence holders must display ‘L’ plates front and rear. They must be accompanied by a full licence holder who is over the age of 21 and has held a full licence for at least two years.
“Further conditions apply to restricted drivers, who must display ‘R’ plates front and rear and cannot exceed 45mph.” Constable Crutchley continued: “Starting out on a motoring career is an exciting time for any young person. It does, however, bring responsibilities. Getting things right at the start can lead to a long, rewarding and trouble-free driving experience.
“I am always keen to encourage drivers of any age to drive responsibly. The motoring laws exist to deter and detect those who do not accept their responsibilities. Those who contravene the motoring laws can expect to face fixed penalties, fines or even disqualification.”
About this article
This article was written by Cathail McDermott (17) and Ryan Pleizier (16)
