Is the Graduated Driver Licence Program for Northern Ireland a work in progress?

Apparently it's New Drivers between 17 & 24 that are the problem! Check out these European statistics to prove otherwise.

One of the biggest talking points from the Infrastructure Ministers (Liz Kimmins) announcement on the 27th of Jan is the need for an adjustment to our current teaching and driving test standards focussing on the 17 -24 year old range and their need for more training to create safer drivers on our roads.

The Graduated Driver Licence program has been designed to create safer drivers and has been local governments focus and a constant talking point for years, but are they targeting the correct age groups and should this not be an overall approach for ALL drivers?

Based on the information above from the European Parliaments statistics, which excludes the UK numbers, (https://editor.wix.com/html/editor/web/renderer/edit/848280d1-61ef-46c1-8777-f4d959d460e4?metaSiteId=7fa8270d-6035-42e9-b486-50a194b85a96) there is a clear disconnect between that targeted age group and the data which shows between 25 & 49 and then drivers over the age of 65 being at the highest risk. Currently, in Northern Ireland, around 20% of our KSI (Killed & Seriously Injured) stats, point towards the 17-24 year old age group being those at the greatest risk. But, when you look at the remaining 80% there is a clear disconnect with the reality being that those numbers reflecting that more experienced drivers over 24 are a much greater risk to road safety.

For me anyway, everybody needs more effective training. Not just new drivers but older, more seasoned and 'experienced' drivers too.

Road Deaths by Country in Europe

I am trying to gather up some data on Northern Irelands specific statistics, so watch this space for more.