Nearly a third of young drivers admit to taking pictures or videos while behind the wheel
NEARLY a third of young drivers admit to taking pictures or video footage while driving to upload and show off on social media.
Research of 1,000 18 to 26-year-olds with a full driving licence revealed some of the riskiest things they’ve done behind the wheel, including texting and racing mates on public roads.
Almost a third (31 per cent) have either filmed, photographed or done both while driving – and 57 per cent of those admitted to subsequently uploading the content to social media.
41 per cent admitted to driving while tired and one in six have sent a text message while behind the wheel.
Shockingly, the research, commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, revealed one in 20 have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Nearly half (46 per cent) admitted to scoffing food behind the wheel.
Although not illegal, police can prosecute for careless driving if they believe the driver isn’t in control of the vehicle, an offence which carries a fine of £100 and three penalty points.
Despite the results showing that nine in 10 of those polled think they consistently follow the rules of the road, one in six have driven in excess of 90 miles per hour.
Motorists caught driving at that speed on the motorway risk getting four to six points or losing their licence, while new drivers automatically lose their licence if they get six or more points within two years of passing their test.
According to the Department of Transport, one in five drivers crash within one year of passing their driving test, with nearly 5,000 people killed or seriously injured from a crash involving a young driver in 2022.
It also emerged 85 per cent would consider an advanced driving course, according to the OnePoll.com data, with 72 per cent also keen to test their skills on a racetrack.
IAM RoadSmart recently hosted its first young driver skills day at Thruxton circuit, designed to give youngsters more confidence and control behind the wheel.
Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director from the charity, wants to see the government introduce a form of Graduated Driving Licencing to gradually provide new drivers with skills and experience prior to obtaining a full licence.
He said: “Young people can often feel invincible behind the wheel, but the government statistics paint a different picture.
“Meanwhile our research reveals some worrying habits, like speeding and using phones behind the wheel, all of which can have devastating consequences.
“This goes to show that the government needs to consider a statutory minimum period of learning to allow new drivers to gain confidence, experience and skills.
“There is also an appetite for younger drivers to take additional driving courses, but given the costs they face, we believe there must be some financial reward for doing so through lower premium costs or taxation.”
The research also found six in 10 will frequently drive with passengers, with 53 per cent of those who have admitting they drive differently in these situations.
Top 20 things young drivers have done behind the wheel:
- Eaten while driving
- Driven while tired
- Speeding
- Had road rage
- Changed lanes without indicating
- Been distracted due to passengers
- Driven despite weather warnings advising not to
- Texted while driving
- Used a phone to make or take a call without a hands-free device
- Driven without wearing a seatbelt
- Gone through red lights
- Driven with headphones on
- Let someone else change gears for them
- Driven a vehicle they knew had a defect that could impact safety
- Raced friends
- Let someone else hold the steering wheel while driving
- Applied makeup
- Overloaded the vehicle which restricted rear mirror views
- Tailgated
- Drink/Drug driving
And 26 per cent claim they have less focus on the road because of passengers.
Of those who say they change their driving 46 per cent reckon they drive more safely, but 23 per cent go faster and 18 per cent like to impress their friends with their approach.
The study also found three in 10 have been caught speeding once or twice since getting their full licence.
Gen Z drivers are most concerned with the cost of insurance, although they did understand that the lack of driving experience and higher risk of accidents contributed to premiums being so high.
Driving in severe weather conditions and a lack of confidence on the motorway are other concerns.
More than half (51 per cent) have had a black box installed for insurance purposes, with the average driver racking up 116 miles per week.
However, despite the findings, 75 per cent are frustrated that other young drivers give them a bad name on the road.