What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

The young ones

I was somewhat puzzled about your recent reply concerning young people's insurance premiums. I have driven now for over 50 years, many of them professionally, doing over 40k per year and never been responsible for an accident. I now live in a relatively quiet, rural area and yet in recent years, have found some of the worst drivers are young females, even those with children onboard. A couple of minutes from home, I have a fast and what I call, a "drivers" 60mph road and I regularly have young females pushing to overtake, even though I am doing 60. It's similar on the A30 dual carriageway going to Truro. Early morning and in bad visibility they flash past at 80 plus (very often without lights). Good driving (not just car control) comes with years of experience and a realisation that drivers, due to changing traffic conditions, should never stop learning. It is a skill to be proud of. Too many now passing the test believe it is a means to an end.

Asked on 17 January 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
I could not agree more with your philosophy, but that is a different point. The stupidity of UK insurers is what drives younger drivers to drive uninsured, causing mayhem, and massive claims to be picked up by the rest of us. The UK seems to be the only country in the world where young drivers face ridiculous, totally unaffordable premiums of £1,500 - £5,000 a year. So it isn't surprising that they take the risk of driving uninsured
Similar questions
While my car was parked on my drive it was hit by a young driver who it seems fell asleep at the wheel. The police were called, and after testing that he had not been drinking are happy to let the insurance...
Today on a country walk we were on a public track (clearly marked) when a Land Rover came towards us, being driven by a child! I'd say he was about 11-12. An adult was in the front as well, in the middle,...
I was caught on a speed camera during my driving test - but still passed it with flying colours! There must be an error somewhere, especially as the test was an Advanced Motorists' re-assessment test...