Winter warning: A third (34%) of young Brits are not confident driving in wintry weather conditions as forecasts worsen

A new study into young driver confidence by vehicle insurance broker, Adrian Flux, has revealed that a third (34%) of Britain’s young drivers, aged between 17 and 24, are unconfident in wintry weather conditions. 

This is even more pertinent considering that some forecasters are predicting the worst winter since the Big Freeze of 2010 – with Storm Arwen and Storm Barra having already brought strong winds, heavy rain and snow to the UK over the past few weeks.

Ice was the least favoured condition amongst the young drivers surveyed. Almost half (48%) said they were unconfident in this situation. 

To emphasise the need to support driver confidence, the government’s latest figures* showed that the biggest road environment factor contributing to accidents in 2020 was slippery roads due to weather, with 4,644 incidents reported.

Snow was the second most challenging condition for young drivers. Over a third (35%) of those surveyed by Adrian Flux claimed to lack confidence when faced with this type of wintry weather.  

Additionally, some of the young people surveyed were also apprehensive about driving through other poor weather conditions, including 29% in thick fog, 23% in hail, and 12% in heavy rains or strong winds.

Last year, 16 to 24-year-olds made up 22% of road accident casualties involving cars when snowy conditions were combined with high winds, according to the Department for Transport**. This age group also comprised 16% of the casualties involving snow without high winds and 20% of the casualties involving fog or mist. 

“Government data shows that rain, sleet, snow or fog accounted for 1,330 accidents on British roads in 2020. Of external factors affecting driver vision, this was only surpassed by stationary or parked vehicles and dazzling sun,” said Scott Goodliffe, Product and Underwriting Manager for Adrian Flux. 

“That’s why it’s so important to draw awareness to the dangers of driving in these conditions as we enter the winter season, especially amongst younger drivers who may be encountering winter weather for the first time or have limited experience in this area.”

Interestingly, young drivers who use a black box seem to be more at ease in the colder months: 30% did not feel confident in wintry weather conditions, which was 4% lower than the UK average for all 17 to 24-year-olds surveyed, including those without a black box.

Goodliffe added: “Besides making driving more affordable for younger people, it would also appear that black boxes can help them to feel more confident in challenging weather conditions, which only increases their value.”