Be safe and save money – now responsible young drivers can earn insurance savings with IAM

As part of its campaign to address the most at-risk drivers on our roads – young drivers – the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)has provided an incentive for young drivers to be safer.

 IAM Surety Insurance, offered exclusively to IAM members via Adelaide Insurance, has until now been targeted at drivers aged 21 and above. From this month IAM Advanced Drivers aged 19 or over driving a low-grouped car can benefit from reduced car insurance.

 Parents trying to get their son or daughter insured will know that car insurance for young drivers is expensive and difficult to acquire. With the papers citing frequent examples of recklessness and inexperience, many safe and responsible young drivers get tarred with the same brush, having to pay very high insurance premiums.

 However, although they make up only 9% of the driving population, under-25s are involved in almost a quarter of all crashes that cause death and injury. To turn these statistics around, a concerted effort is needed by motoring organisations, governments and the drivers themselves – this incentive is a key step towards safer roads for everybody.

 By offering lower premiums to drivers aged 19 years or above who have passed an advanced driving test, the IAM is supporting the group that needs it most.

 Simon Best, IAM Chief Executive, said: “The insurance industry has been quick to penalise young drivers, but is much slower to do anything to help improve their driving standards. By introducing a financial incentive, IAM Surety is going some way towards improving young drivers’ skills and behaviour on the road, and investing in their driver education at a time when they need it most.”

 The full IAM Skill For Life advanced driving programme costs just £139. To find your local group and for more details visit iam.org.uk

 ENDS

Notes to editors:

IAM 2008 Report: Young drivers – where and when are they unsafe: analysis of road accidents in Great Britain 2000 – 2006

Media contacts

IAM Press Office – 020 8996 9777

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ISDN broadcast lines available

iam.org.uk

ENDS ALL 

1. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) directly influences the driving and riding of more than 100,000 full members in the UK and Ireland. Established in 1956, the IAM is today best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving course, which is available to car, motorcycle and commercial licence holders. The IAM has grown to become the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to raising driving standards, engaging with the road-using public and influencing road safety policy.  The commercial division of the IAM operates through occupational driver training companies IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive.

2. A 2006 report by Brunel University, following an 18 month study, concluded that “advanced driver training produces safer drivers and lower accident involvement”, with measurable improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude.

3. In January 2007, the IAM established the Policy and Research Division to undertake research, promote practical policies, act as an advocate for safer roads, safer drivers and safer vehicles and encourage responsible motoring through education and training.