Nearly a third of young drivers admit to filming themselves behind the wheel for social media likes

• New research reveals risky behaviour including texting and racing each other on public roads

Nearly a third of young drivers admit to taking pictures or video footage at the wheel to upload and show off on social media while driving.

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 friends 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.

Forty-one per cent have driven while tired and one in six have sent a text message while driving.

Shockingly, the research commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, revealed one in 20 have either driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Nearly half (46 per cent) admitted to eating behind the wheel, and although this isn’t 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 believe they consistently follow the rules of the road, one in six admit they’ve 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. [i]

Interestingly, 85 per cent said they’d 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. Activities included learning how to correct and control a sliding car in a skid pan facility, driving performance vehicles around a circuit and learning how to handle corners and speed, and taking a 4x4 vehicle on an off-road course, overcoming steep inclines and descents, rocks, mud and water.

Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director from the charity, wants to see the government introduce a form of Graduated Driver 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 shows 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.”

Young drivers aged 17-26 can join IAM RoadSmart as a Road Champion and gain expert insights and guidance, from mastering fuel-saving techniques, to learning more about your vehicle, as well as offers on Advanced Driver and Rider training courses. To find out more go to www.iamroadsmart.net/roadchampion

TOP 20 THINGS YOUNG DRIVERS HAVE DONE BEHIND THE WHEEL SINCE PASSING THEIR TEST

1. Eating while driving
2. Driving while tired
3. Speeding
4. Got road rage (i.e. showing aggressive behaviour such as shouting, honking the horn, flashing lights in anger at another driver)
5. Changing lanes without indicating
6. Distracted driving due to passengers
7. Driven despite weather warnings advising not to
8. Texting while driving
9. Using a phone to make or take a call without a hands-free device
10. Driving without wearing a seatbelt
11. Going through red lights
12. Driving with headphones on
13. Let someone else change gears for you
14. Driven a vehicle I knew had a defect that could impact on my safety
15. Racing friends
16. Let someone else hold the steering wheel while driving
17. Applying makeup
18. Overloading the vehicle which restricted rear mirror views
19. Tailgating
20. Drink/Drug driving

ENDS

Notes to editors

For interviews, contact the IAM RoadSmart press office on press.office@iam.org.uk / 020 8996 9777

[1] Department for Transport: Road casualties in Great Britain: Reported road casualties in Great Britain: younger driver factsheet, 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

About IAM RoadSmart

IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s largest road safety charity providing Advanced Driving and Rider courses. It has a vision of a society where all road users can safely and sustainably use the public highways together. IAM RoadSmart was formed in March 1956 and has around 70,000 members that supports its campaigns on road safety. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit: www.iamroadsmart.com

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