As Road Safety Week commences across the United Kingdom, a senior police officer has issued a vital warning to inexperienced motorists, highlighting sobering new casualty figures.
Official government data reveals that 1,633 people lost their lives on British roads last year, marking a one per cent increase from the previous year. The statistics for 2024 are particularly alarming for younger motorists, with 22 per cent of all road fatalities being people aged between 17 and 29. A further 128,375 individuals in the same age group sustained injuries.
Expert Advice for Safer Driving
Police Sergeant Owen Messenger, a road casualty reduction officer with Devon and Cornwall Police, has partnered with George's Car Media on TikTok to deliver five essential safety tips. The collaboration aims to reach new and young drivers directly through social media platforms they frequent.
"Here's five bits of valuable information that you as a new or young driver on UK roads can benefit from when it comes to your car," host George introduced, before welcoming the road safety expert.
Five Essential Safety Tips
Reflecting on his own early driving experiences, George recalled how friends would create dangerous distractions by "jumping around" in his car and interfering with his phone. This firsthand account underscores the importance of Sgt Messenger's first piece of advice.
1. Continue Learning After Your Test
"I guess the advice from me would be learn to drive," Sgt Messenger stated, elaborating that this learning process continues long after passing the driving test. "You are learning from the moment you pass your test - you are not automatically the best driver in the world. So learn as you go along and like George said, don't have lots of people in the car with you."
2. Understand Graduated Licensing
The police sergeant explained the concept of 'graduated driving licenses', a system designed to phase in full driving privileges. "Graduated licences are designed to stop that kind of thing, because what we see a lot of the time is when young people are involved in collisions, it's not just one person - it's several people who are in the car."
3. Always Wear Seatbelts
Sgt Messenger was unequivocal about seatbelt use. "Always do that," he emphasised. "Driving, you have a responsibility to everybody else around you and everybody that's in your car."
4. Follow the Highway Code
New drivers were urged not to abandon their training once they've passed their test. "You've learned it, so stick with it and remember your hazard perception as well," he advised. "Look at what is going on around you and try and anticipate things and allow time for that to happen and develop."
5. Avoid Dangerous Situations
The final tip focused on defensive driving. Sgt Messenger stressed the importance of "not getting sucked into" hazardous scenarios, instead allowing space for situations to "develop around you" to provide more reaction time.
Vehicle Checks Are Crucial
George reinforced the message by highlighting the importance of basic vehicle maintenance. "You are responsible," he stated firmly.
"Look at your tyres, make sure they're not deflated, make sure you have some coolant, check you have enough fuel to get to your destination - it's these simple things that when you apply them to everyday driving you will not only be safer, but you will enjoy your journey of driving in the UK that much more."
Further government statistics reveal additional concerns for road safety professionals. Motorcyclists saw the greatest estimated increase in fatalities, rising by 19 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, despite overall motorcycle casualties decreasing by six per cent. The data also shows that 76 per cent of road fatalities and 61 per cent of all casualties were male.
Road Safety Week, which runs from November 16-22, represents a concerted national effort to reduce these tragic figures and create safer roads for all users.
