Read the below to find out some interesting road safety statistics. All of these facts and figures are from the Think! road safety website.
- In 2007, 32% of car driver deaths and 40% of car passenger deaths were 17-24 year olds.
- Driver sleepiness is estimated to account for around one fifth of accidents on major roads and is responsible for around 300 deaths per year so make sure youre alert and awake when driving.
- In 2006, a total of 123 horse riders were injured in road accidents, of which 3 riders were killed and 26 riders seriously injured. Horses are scared easily, so make sure you stay well back and drive past them slowly and steadily. As soon as there is room to overtake, go slowly and dont rev the car loudly.
- In your first two years driving, you are on probation. This means, if you are given 6 points or more, for example you get caught speeding twice within your first two years driving, youll lose your licence and have to sit your test again. Its an extended test too, which can be trickier to pass.
- Car drivers and passengers are three times more likely to die on a rural road than a busy street so just because youre in the middle of nowhere, dont lose focus.
- Breaking the speed limit, or driving too fast for the conditions on the road, contributes to more than 727 deaths and 4,555 injuries every year.
- You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seat belt.
