Young drivers are at risk on our roads

Inexperience

We learn through experience so inexperienced driving is a key reason young people crash on Scotland’s roads, often when driving with friends, at night, or on rural roads. Until you’ve built up experience across different roads and conditions, it’s worth taking extra care.

Risky attitude can lead to over-confidence

A risky attitude can lead to over-confidence, and peer pressure often makes judgement worse – particularly around speeding and unsafe overtaking.

Underdeveloped skills

Young drivers may have quick reactions, but spotting hazards early is a skill that only comes with experience and plenty of practice.

A lack of awareness

Young drivers often have less visual awareness, and check mirrors less frequently. With experience, they become more attentive, alert, careful and safe on the road.

In 2024, 509 young male car drivers were involved in collisions, with 78 killed or seriously injured.¹ Speeding was a factor in many of these collisions.

Even a small increase over the limit can make the difference between stopping safely and a serious collision. You’re seven times more likely to kill a pedestrian at 30 mph than at 20 mph.²

Remember:

• Speed limits are maximums, not targets
• In poor weather or heavy traffic, drive well below the limit
• Penalties start at £100 fine and a minimum of 3 points – you only need 6 points to lose your licence in the first 2 years of driving

¹Transport Scotland – Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2024
²DfT Road Safety Web Publication No.16 – Relationship between Speed and Risk of Fatal Injury

Country roads can look quiet and familiar, but they account for 52% of all fatalities on Scotland’s roads. In 2024, 737 people were killed or seriously injured on country roads.¹

It’s easy to underestimate the risks – tight bends, blind summits, hidden dips, mud, animals, and slow‑moving farm vehicles can appear without warning.

Most fatal crashes happen because drivers are going too fast for the conditions.

Stay safe by:

• Slowing down well before bends
• Watching for hazard signs
• Driving for the conditions you face, not what you expect

¹Transport Scotland – Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2024

Even one drink can slow your reactions, blur your vision, and affect your judgement.

The legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is 50mg per 100ml of blood (equivalent to 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath).

Driving over the limit makes you six times more likely to die in a road collision – and alcohol can still be in your system the next day. If caught, you will face a 12-month driving ban, up to £5,000 fine and up to six months in prison.

Best approach:

• If you’re driving, don’t drink at all
• Plan ahead – taxi, public transport, or stay overnight
• Remember that only time removes alcohol from your system; coffee and fresh air won’t help

Police Scotland can carry out a roadside test, called a ‘Drug Wipe’, if they suspect drug-driving.

Anyone found to be driving under the influence will be arrested and taken to a police station to give a blood sample. The sample is sent to a lab and checked for 17 different drugs.

Some drugs remain in your system for 4-5 days, and some heavy drug users will always have drugs in their system. Taking alcohol and drugs together is even worse, as their effects combine and the risk can be multiplied. Even low levels of alcohol mixed with low levels of drugs can cause significant danger. If caught, you will face a 12-month driving ban, up to £5,000 fine and up to six months in prison.

Think ahead:

• Check with a doctor or pharmacist if your medication could impair driving
• If you feel unwell, drowsy, or not fully alert – don’t drive
• Driving over the legal limit for certain drugs is an offence, even if prescribed

Driving needs your full attention – even a two‑second lapse can cause a crash.

Phones, music changes, and conversations with friends can all take your focus off the road.

Stay focused:

• Set up music or navigation before you drive
• Keep your phone out of reach and on silent
• Avoid showing off or taking risks to impress passengers

Using a phone while driving can mean 6 points and a £200 fine – if the case goes to court, you could also be banned from driving and be fined up to £1,000. You only need 6 points to lose your licence in the first 2 years of driving.

Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and others are more exposed in a collision.

• 49% of pedestrian casualties happen at junctions³
• Less than half of drivers (47%) check for pedestrians before crossing or turning at junctions³
• 95% of collisions involving pedestrians happen in built‑up areas – often during the evening commute or weekend afternoons¹
• More than half of drivers admit to taking risks, like speeding or jumping amber lights, to save time⁴

Share the road:

• Slow down near junctions, schools, and busy streets
• Take an extra look before turning
• Leave space and time for others to move safely

¹Transport Scotland – Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2024
³Think! 2013
⁴Censuswide survey of 1,012 Scottish adults (02.02.2018 – 06.02.2018)

Don’t risk losing your licence

As a young driver, you face tougher penalties by law for the first two years after you pass your test.

If you pick up 6 points or more in that time, your licence will be revoked and you’ll have to reapply for your provisional. You may be fined as well.

That means you’ll have to re-sit and pass the theory and practical tests all over again. Here are just some of the ways you can lose your licence:

• Getting caught speeding twice
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Not having car insurance
• Driving without due care and attention / dangerous driving

It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for virtually any use, including taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists or playing games. If you use a handheld phone behind the wheel, you can get a fine of up to £1,000, 6 points on your licence, and a driving ban.

• There’s now a new hierarchy of road users
• Those who can do the most harm have the greatest responsibility
• Drivers and riders have to give way to pedestrians crossing a road
• Pedestrians and cyclists have priority when turning in and out of junctions
• Drivers and riders need to give plenty of space when passing others. At least:
  • 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30mph
  • 2 metres and under 10mph for horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles
  • 2 metres and a low speed when passing pedestrians walking on a road
• Cyclists can ride in the centre of the lane, or two side-by-side for their own safety
• In a vehicle, open the door with the hand furthest from it; this turns your body so you naturally look over your shoulder for cyclists or pedestrians