DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have launched a national ‘Top 3’ campaign to raise awareness of the main risks facing young drivers on Britain’s roads.

Drivers aged 17–24 are more likely to be involved in serious and fatal collisions than any other age group.

In 2022, nearly one in five car driver fatalities were aged 17 to 24-years-old, and almost a quarter of all road deaths from collisions involving a car driver involved at least one young driver.

The campaign, which is in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), focuses on the main factors contributing to fatal crashes in this age group: lack of experience, driving late at night and passenger distractions.

The fire service want young drivers, and those who care about them, to talk openly about these risks and agree on practical steps to reduce them.

So, how can a young driver reduce the risks?

• Spend at least six months learning to drive, so you experience different seasons, weather, and traffic conditions;

• Plan your journeys to avoid driving during the high-risk times of 11 pm to 6 am for at least 3-6 months after passing your driving test;

• Agree to limit the number of passengers of a similar age for the first 3-6 months after passing your test;

• Parents and caregivers to offer lifts to groups of young friends instead of letting a new driver be responsible for several passengers.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: ‘We attend around 500 collisions every year.

‘Many of these could be prevented through better preparation, safer choices, and open conversations about risk.

‘We also support the introduction of formalised post-test protections in England, Scotland, and Wales.

‘This would promote a more varied driving experience before the test and place temporary limits on high-risk driving situations for new drivers.

‘The Top 3 campaign is here to help you make better decisions, protect yourself, and keep others safe on the road’.