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. There is a need to exercise caution while this experience of driving in different circumstances and in different conditions is gained.

Risky attitude can lead to over-confidence

Risky attitude can lead to over-confidence, with peer pressure often increasing poor judgement, especially in relation to speeding, and overtaking when it is not safe to do so.

Underdeveloped skills

Young drivers may have quick reactions, but skills like good hazard perception only comes with experience. Recognising hazards in time to react also requires experience and lots 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.

Don’t risk losing your licence

As a young driver, there are tougher penalties in place by law – covering the first two years after you pass your test.

If you pick up 6 points or more in that time, as well as a potential fine, your licence will be revoked and you will have to reapply for your provisional again.

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.

A parent/young driver agreement can potentially help keep young drivers to stay safe. For example, this can simply be a set of verbal or written promises between a parent and young driver for a few months after passing their test.

These may include:

• Not driving between certain times at night, for example, between midnight and 6am
• A maximum number of people in the car (which might vary according to the time of the day)
• A zero alcohol limit when driving
• A zero drug limit when driving
• No mobile phone use while driving
• Keeping within speed limits
• Wearing a seatbelt at all times
• Black Box technology being fitted in the car

In return, a parent might agree to:

• Make a car available
• Collect them after a certain time, so they don’t drive home late at night

In the last 12 months, 509 young male car drivers were involved in collisions, with 78 killed or seriously injured.² A huge number of these collisions were caused by speeding.

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.³

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

²Transport Scotland – Injury Road Accidents Database, 2021
³DfT 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 accident – and alcohol can still be in your system the next day.

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 roadside tests, called a ‘Drug Wipe’ for suspected drug‑driving.

Drivers found to be under the influence of drugs will be arrested, taken to a nearby police station and required to provide a blood sample, which will be sent to a lab for analysis, checking for the presence of 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.

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

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

• 49% of pedestrian casualties happen at junctions⁴
• Less than half of drivers (47%) check for pedestrians before crossing or turning at junctions⁴
• 95% of accidents 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 time⁵

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
⁴Think! 2013
⁵Censuswide survey of 1,012 Scottish adults (02.02.2018 – 06.02.2018)

• 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, the door should be opened with the hand furthest from the door, helping to make drivers look over their shoulder to see cyclists or pedestrians nearby