A recent study by a high street insurance company found that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents that older drivers. The are therefore also more likely to make accident claims.

The study found that 13.2% of 17 year old drivers and 12.8% of 18 year old drivers had had car accidents. This is much higher than an average of 6.5% across other age groups for a similar one-year period. Those over the age of 50 were the least likely to have an accident and only 2% of them crashed during the same period.

The study also found that claims made by younger drivers werelikely to cost significantlymore. Their data suggested that the younger age group were more likely to have serious crashes whilst travelling at higher speeds.

Other statistics from the Institute of Advanced Motorists and a poll carried out for Road Safety Week in 2009 indicated that a quarter of all fatal or crashes where serious injury was sustained involved the under 25s and that 18% of 18-25 year olds admitted to drink driving.