Suche
Mein Konto
Alcohol ban for young drivers: Insurers demand new rules!
Insurers are calling for a ban on alcohol for drivers up to the age of 24 in order to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
Alcohol ban for young drivers: Insurers demand new rules!
A call for road safety: More and more insurers are calling for an extension of the alcohol ban for young drivers under the age of 24. The ban currently applies until the person's 21st birthday, but according to [radioguetersloh.de](https://www.radioguetersloh.de/nachrichten/kreis-guetersloh/detailansicht/berlin-versicherer-wollen-laengeres- Alcohol Ban-fuer-junge-fahrer.html) it is time to rethink this. The aim of this initiative is to increase road safety and encourage people to get used to driving without drinking.
In 2023, novice drivers aged 18 to 24 caused an impressive 1,287 accidents under the influence of alcohol, resulting in an alarming tally of 18 deaths and 372 serious injuries. Two thirds of alcohol-related accidents were caused by drivers between the ages of 21 and 24. This clearly shows that the risks in this age group remain high. Overall, there were 2,839 traffic deaths in Germany in 2023, which underlines the urgency of the measures.
The risks of young drivers
Young drivers are characterized by a high willingness to take risks and little experience, which makes them the main risk group in accidents on German roads. Despite a positive trend in recent years - the number of accidents involving young drivers has fallen - the risk remains unabated. The [ADAC accident research](https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/unfall- Schaden-panne/unfall/unfallforschung-junge-fahrer/) shows that 18 to 24 year olds are twice as likely to be involved in accidents as older road users. What is alarming is that 29 percent of these accidents are solo accidents, a clear indication of insufficient driving experience and risky behavior.
These accidents occur particularly frequently in out-of-town areas, often due to excessive speed or inexperienced driving maneuvers. While 76 percent of accidents occur on country and federal highways, 10 percent are due to overtaking errors. The issue of seat belts also plays a crucial role: among young drivers, the proportion of occupants who did not wear seat belts was 5.2 percent - significantly higher than in the general population. This often leads to more serious injuries.
Risk reduction measures
To increase the safety of young drivers, it is essential to take further preventive measures. According to Insurers' Accident Research, extending the probationary period from two to three years would be an important step. Opening up accompanied driving to people over 18 could also make a significant contribution to reducing risk.
In addition, the implementation of mandatory training for the correct assessment of drinking and driving behavior is required. The need for stricter alcohol controls and better public transport options are key points in this debate.
The situation is clear: In order to further reduce the number of accidents, extending the alcohol ban to young drivers up to the age of 24 is a step that can increase safety on our roads. It remains to be seen how the relevant authorities will respond to this urgent appeal.