This story on the BBC reports on an event by Merseyside police aimed at cutting the death toll amongst young drivers.
Around 2,400 people under 25 have been injured in the last three years and 12 have died since 2009.
The event is being run today (I’m only commenting on the article, not advertising it), so it’s probably too late to go if you’re seeing this.
People can win driving lessons, breakdown kits, and even a go on the police skidpan. Police vehicle examiners will also be able to check cars to make sure they’re roadworthy.
One of the police officers involved says that accidents wreck lives. No one could disagree with that.
He also says one death on the roads [in Merseyside] is too many. No one could disagree with that (and that applies everywhere, not just in Merseyside).
Probably the most significant thing he says, though, is:
By nature young people are inexperienced but also tend to be over-confident, which can be a disastrous combination.
Young drivers, especially men, are more likely to take risks – driving too fast, too close to the car in front and dangerous overtaking.
And this is where it gets complicated. Having said that young people are “over-confident”, is an event like this ever going to change them? Having said that young men are more likely to take risks, will they change after going to such events?
The short answer is NO, on both counts.
The problem lies in the attitudes that young people have these days. It stands to reason that new drivers will always be at greater risk when they start driving on their own – it’s the Law of the Universe, so people should stop trying to fix it.
It is the attitude that some drivers have which needs changing. Voluntary attendance at a free event like this won’t do it, no matter how laudable to underlying motives for running it are.