Confused.com Partners with Protect Young Drivers to Strengthen Road Safety Education

Confused.com Partners with Protect Young Drivers to Strengthen Road Safety Education

Cardiff-based FinTech Wales member Confused.com has announced a new partnership with national road safety initiative Protect Young Drivers to improve education and awareness for newly qualified drivers and their parents.

The collaboration brings together expertise from across the road safety and insurance sectors to strengthen understanding of the risks facing young drivers and support discussion around measures that could better protect them on the road.

According to the announcement, around one in five serious incidents in 2024 involved a young car driver. It also highlighted that young male drivers aged 17 to 25 are four times as likely to be involved in a serious incident compared with drivers over the age of 25.

These risks continue to affect the cost of cover for newly qualified motorists. Confused.com said young drivers are paying an average of £2,082 for car insurance once they pass their test, reflecting the higher statistical likelihood of collisions and claims.

The company said car insurance prices are now as much as 44% more expensive than they were 10 years ago, adding further pressure on younger motorists as they look to get on the road.

Protect Young Drivers is a dedicated website and central hub for evidence, insight and action to reduce serious road harm among young drivers. Hosted by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), the initiative brings together research, data and lived experience in one place, supported by organisations across policing, fire and rescue, local government, academia and road safety.

Through the partnership, Confused.com and Protect Young Drivers will share insight on road safety statistics, driver behaviour and industry trends to help build a clearer picture of the challenges young drivers face. The collaboration will also support the development of tools, resources and data-led reporting for young drivers and their families.

The partnership will also explore how licensing approaches could better protect novice drivers. This includes consideration of measures such as a minimum learning period, restrictions on night-time driving and limits on carrying teenage passengers during the early months after passing a test, often referred to as Graduated Driving Licensing.

According to the announcement, international evidence shows Graduated Driving Licensing systems can reduce crashes while allowing young drivers to build experience gradually. Confused.com and Protect Young Drivers said any UK approach would need to balance improved road safety with the independence young people gain from driving.

“When it comes to insurance, the question we get asked a lot is ‘why are young drivers paying so much for their insurance’. It’s a real pain point for them, as they are desperate for their freedom, but have to foot hefty insurance costs to get there. And the truth is that young drivers are statistically at a higher risk of an incident, compared to other age groups.

“The insurance industry is under pressure to do better and help bring costs down, especially for younger drivers. But the answer fundamentally lies in improving road safety, and reducing risk. This is a priority when it comes to helping young drivers feel safe and confident on the road.

“We share Protect Young Drivers’ vision of making roads safer for motorists. Better education of risks, safer driving habits and perhaps more enforcement will not only improve road safety, but can make driving more affordable too.

“We’re looking forward to working together to push for change and save lives. Young drivers look to us to help them save money on their insurance – but together, the support we can offer them goes beyond just saving them money, and can help them to become safer on the roads too.”

“We are delighted to be working with Confused.com to strengthen understanding of the risks young drivers face in their first months on the road. Young drivers experience a unique combination of inexperience and exposure to higher-risk situations, and Protect Young Drivers exists to bring together evidence, insight and real-life experience so that families, professionals and policymakers can better understand those risks and how to reduce them.

“This partnership allows us to combine robust road safety research with industry data, helping to build a clearer picture of the challenges young drivers face. By improving understanding and supporting informed discussion, we can play a part in creating safer conditions for young people as they gain independence and experience behind the wheel.”

Protect Young Drivers said studies have shown that young drivers are more likely to misjudge situations, overestimate their abilities and struggle with hazard perception. It argues that Graduated Driving Licensing could help address these issues by allowing drivers to gain experience in safer conditions before progressing to full driving privileges.

The announcement also noted that the UK Government has previously rejected proposals for a full Graduated Driving Licensing system and is currently consulting on a minimum learning period. It added that developments in Northern Ireland may contribute to wider policy discussions across the UK.

Confused.com and Protect Young Drivers said they hope the partnership will support a safer system for young drivers while preserving the freedom and flexibility that comes with owning a car.

Sources:

Young driver factsheet: UK Government younger driver factsheet 2024

Protect Young Drivers: protectyoungdrivers.com