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Transport: Young Drivers

Volume 700: debated on Wednesday 23 April 2008

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many drivers between 17 and 20 years of age died in road accidents in each of the past five years; and [HL2973]

What percentage of road deaths involved drivers aged between 17 and 20 years of age in each of the past five years; and [HL2974]

What percentage of road deaths per one billion vehicle kilometres involved drivers aged between 17 and 20 years in each of the past five years. [HL2975]

The numbers of 17 to 20 year-old drivers killed and the percentage of road deaths involving 17 to 20 year-old drivers are shown in the table.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

17-20 year old drivers (1) killed

237

265

225

251

256

Percentage of road deaths (2) involving 17-20 year old drivers

6.9%

7.6%

7.0%

7.8%

8.1%

(1) Includes drivers of cars, motorcycles, LGVs, HGVs and other motor vehicles excluding buses or coaches

(2) All deaths in reported personal injury road accidents

The percentage of road deaths per 1 billion vehicle kilometres involving 17 to 20 year-old drivers is identical to the overall percentage shown in the table. However, on average between 2002 and 2006 an estimated 20 car drivers aged 17 to 20 were killed in road accidents for each billion vehicle kilometres driven by those aged 17 to 20. The equivalent figure for car drivers of all ages was three fatalities per billion vehicle kilometres. The fatality rate for young drivers is therefore around seven times higher than for drivers of all ages. Information is not available for single years.