What Age Group Causes the Most Car Accidents in the UK?
Young drivers aged 17 to 24 cause more car accidents than any other age group in the UK. Despite making up just 7% of licence holders, they are involved in around 16% of all fatal or serious collisions.
The Department for Transport publishes annual road casualty data that consistently shows younger drivers at the top of the risk table. Inexperience, overconfidence and a tendency to drive at high-risk times all contribute.
At the other end of the spectrum, drivers over 70 are less likely to crash but face far higher fatality rates when they do. Here’s how accident risk breaks down by age, gender and driving behaviour.
Drivers aged 17 to 24 make up 7% of licence holders but 16% of fatal or serious collisions. Young males are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than those over 25. Premiums follow the same curve, which is why this age group pays the most.
A lower insurance group car and a black box policy both help when you compare car insurance quotes as a young driver.
Which age group has the highest accident rate?
Drivers aged 17 to 24 have the highest accident rate per mile driven in the UK, and the first year after passing a test is the most dangerous. Young driver insurance premiums reflect this: insurers price risk based on how likely a claim is, and this age group claims the most.
How bad are the numbers?
Between 2019 and 2023, young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 were four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than male drivers aged 25 and over. They accounted for a third of all KSI (killed or seriously injured) casualties in collisions involving a younger driver.
Female drivers of the same age represented around 17% of KSI casualties, less than half the male figure. The gap narrows with age but never fully closes.
When are young drivers most at risk?
Late-night and early-morning hours are the peak danger window. Many crashes involving 17 to 24 year olds happen between 11pm and 5am, often after social events or when fatigue sets in.
New drivers considering short-term cover before buying their own car can compare temporary car insurance for young drivers to stay covered without committing to a full annual policy.
Why are young drivers more likely to cause accidents?
Inexperience is the biggest single factor. A newly qualified driver has passed a test but has not yet built the hazard recognition skills that come with thousands of miles of practice.
What role does overconfidence play?
Passing the test can create a false sense of security. Many young drivers overestimate their ability and underestimate the risks of speed, tailgating or overtaking in poor conditions.
What about distractions and peer pressure?
Mobile phone use, passengers and loud music all increase crash risk. Research from Brake shows that having one passenger under 25 in the car doubles the crash risk for a young driver, and two or more passengers triple it.
A black box policy can help by monitoring driving behaviour and rewarding safer habits with lower premiums, giving young drivers a financial incentive to slow down and concentrate.
How do accident rates compare across age groups?
After the 17 to 24 bracket, accident frequency drops steadily with age before rising again among the over-70s. The table below shows how risk and severity shift across the main age bands.
Which groups are safest?
Drivers aged 40 to 59 are the safest group by most measures. They have the lowest KSI rate per mile and typically pay the least for car insurance as a result.
| Age group | Risk level | Key pattern |
| 17-24 | Highest | 4x more likely to be killed or seriously injured; 16% of KSI collisions despite 7% of licence holders |
| 25-34 | High | Still elevated, especially males; high motorway and urban commuting exposure |
| 35-59 | Lowest | Most experienced; lowest KSI rate per mile driven |
| 60-69 | Low-moderate | Low accident frequency but higher severity when crashes occur |
| 70+ | Moderate | Lower crash rate but fatality risk 5x higher due to physical frailty |
Why are older drivers more vulnerable?
Drivers aged 70 and over are less likely to speed or take risks, but slower reaction times and reduced peripheral vision increase the chance of misjudgements at junctions. Specialist over-70s car insurance accounts for these patterns while keeping cover affordable.
Do men or women cause more car accidents?
Men are consistently more likely to be involved in serious car accidents than women across every age group. They account for 75% of all road fatalities and 61% of injuries in the UK.
Where is the gap widest?
The gender gap is starkest among young drivers. Males aged 17 to 24 are involved in a third of all serious or fatal collisions linked to younger drivers, compared to 17% for females.
Men also cover more miles per year on average, drive more powerful vehicles and are more likely to speed. These behavioural and exposure factors combine to produce a consistently higher accident rate.
Does gender affect insurance premiums?
EU law prohibits insurers from using gender as a direct rating factor. However, driving behaviour, mileage and vehicle choice still influence premiums, and households with mixed driving profiles can sometimes save through a multi-car policy.
Pairing lower mileage with a telematics policy is one way to demonstrate safe driving regardless of age or gender.
How does your age affect car insurance premiums?
Age is one of the strongest predictors of car insurance cost because it correlates closely with accident risk. Young drivers pay the most, premiums drop through middle age, and costs rise again after 70.
What can young drivers do to lower their premiums?
Adding a named driver with more experience, choosing a lower-group car, and completing a Pass Plus course can all help. Paying annually rather than monthly avoids interest charges.
If you’re buying your first car, starting with a smaller engine and building a no-claims bonus from day one makes a measurable difference at renewal.
What about learner and convicted drivers?
Learner drivers can get provisional-licence cover to build experience before passing. Drivers with motoring convictions face higher premiums, but specialist convicted driver insurance is designed to find competitive quotes for higher-risk profiles.
Related: What Is an MOT?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Drivers aged 17 to 24 are most at risk, especially young males. Young male drivers are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared to male drivers aged 25 and over.
Not typically, because drivers over 70 are less likely to speed or take risks. However, they are more vulnerable to serious injury or death if a crash occurs due to physical frailty.
Yes, men are more likely to be involved in serious crashes than women across all age groups. They account for around 75% of UK road fatalities.
Insurance is priced based on risk. Young drivers are statistically more likely to have accidents, which means higher premiums, especially for males under 25.
Yes, accident risk peaks at ages 17 to 19 and gradually declines into the early 20s. Inexperience and risk-taking behaviours are more common among teenagers.
You can start at 17, but safety improves with experience. Drivers aged 35 to 50 are involved in the fewest accidents and typically pay the least for car insurance.
Avoid speeding, drive during daylight hours and avoid distractions like mobile phones. Completing a Pass Plus course can also help develop safer driving habits early on.
Yes, because temporary car insurance providers assess age and driving history. Younger drivers, especially under 25, often pay more due to elevated risk.