With a worrying rise in road fatalities, a senior police officer has issued a vital safety warning directly targeting new and young motorists across the UK. This urgent advice comes as part of Road Safety Week, a national campaign running from Sunday, November 16, dedicated to cutting the number of deaths and injuries.
The Stark Reality of UK Roads
Official government data reveals a sobering picture. Last year alone, 1,633 people lost their lives on Britain's roads, marking a one per cent increase from the previous year. The statistics are particularly alarming for younger generations, with 22 per cent of all fatalities in 2024 being people aged between 17 and 29. Furthermore, this same age group accounted for a staggering 128,375 casualties, or 28 per cent of all those injured.
In response, Police Sergeant Owen Messenger, a road casualty reduction officer with Devon and Cornwall Police, has partnered with George's Car Media on TikTok to share his top five essential tips for inexperienced drivers.
Sergeant Messenger's Five Essential Tips
Host George introduced the segment by recalling his own early driving experiences, where friends in the car created a 'massive distraction' by moving around and interfering with his phone. This set the stage for Sgt. Messenger's first crucial piece of advice.
1. The Learning Never Stops
Sgt. Messenger's primary recommendation is to never stop learning. 'I guess the advice from me would be learn to drive,' he stated, clarifying that this doesn't end after passing the test. 'You are learning from the moment you pass your test - you are not automatically the best driver in the world. So learn as you go along.' He strongly echoed George's sentiment, advising new drivers to avoid having lots of people in the car initially to minimise distractions.
2. Understand Graduated Driving Licences
The officer outlined the concept of 'graduated driving licences,' a scheme designed to provide new drivers with a phased approach to gaining full driving privileges. 'Graduated licences are designed to stop that kind of thing,' he explained, 'because what we see a lot of the time is when young people are involved in collisions, it's not just one person - it's several people who are in the car.'
3. The Non-Negotiable Seatbelt
Sgt. Messenger was unequivocal about the importance of seatbelts. 'Always do that,' he insisted. 'Driving, you have a responsibility to everybody else around you and everybody that's in your car.' Buckling up is a fundamental and legal duty for every driver and passenger.
4. Stick to the Highway Code and Hone Hazard Perception
New drivers were cautioned against ignoring the rules they worked hard to learn. 'You've learned it, so stick with it,' Sgt. Messenger urged. He also emphasised the need to continually develop hazard perception skills, advising drivers to 'look at what is going on around you and try and anticipate things and allow time for that to happen.'
5. Stay in Control and Conduct Pre-Journey Checks
The final advice focused on maintaining control and preparation. Sgt. Messenger stressed the importance of 'not getting sucked into' dangerous situations, instead allowing space for events to unfold safely. George concluded the session by underlining the critical nature of vehicle checks. 'You are responsible,' he said. 'Look at your tyres, make sure they're not deflated, make sure you have some coolant, check you have enough fuel... it's these simple things that when you apply them to everyday driving you will not only be safer, but you will enjoy your journey of driving in the UK that much more.'
A Broader Look at Road Casualties
Further government statistics highlight other areas of concern for road safety in the UK. Notably, motorcyclists saw the greatest estimated increase in fatalities, up 19 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. However, the total number of motorcyclist casualties (killed or injured) fell by six per cent over the same period. The data also shows a significant gender disparity, with 76 per cent of all road fatalities and 61 per cent of casualties being male.
