Three in 10 drivers in serious crashes are young

Three in ten of the serious or fatal crashes on a county's roads last year involved young drivers.

Police figures revealed 321 people were killed or seriously injured in Suffolk in 2024, with 30% of those being people aged 16 to 24.

It comes as Suffolk Police supports a national campaign working to highlight the risks to young drivers.

Ch Insp Vicky McParland, head of the joint Norfolk & Suffolk roads and armed policing team, said the inexperience of young drivers often led to crashes.

"It's great when you first pass your test, it's the freedom, but there's also a big responsibility with passing your test," Ms McParland explained.

"A driving licence is a privilege and it's not a right, so we find things like [young people] are easily distracted, carrying passengers, there's risky behaviour, overtaking and speeding.

"Then driving at night, because most driving lessons are during the day."

So far this year there have been 192 people killed or seriously injured in crashes in Suffolk, with 33% being people aged 16 to 24.

Across Britain, on average 24% of fatal or serious injury collisions involve young drivers.

Ms McParland stressed the message of "drive to arrive" and urged drivers never to take "unnecessary risks".

She encouraged families to talk about the dangers of the road and safe driving.

"There's nothing worse than one of my officers having to come to your door to tell you that your child has been involved in a serious injury collision - either they're injured, someone else is injured or the worst, somebody is dead," she continued.

"There's a lot people can do to influence younger drivers to stop them taking unnecessary risks."

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