Young drivers over-represented in road collision statistics
Date published:
New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Infrastructure present findings from the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) monitoring report for 2024.
Key findings
In 2024:
- Young drivers aged 17 to 23 were deemed responsible for 24% of all fatal or serious injury (KSI) collisions, despite accounting for only 8% of driving license holders - meaning young drivers remain over-represented in collision statistics.
- There were 251 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a car driver aged 17 to 23.
- In 164 of those 251 cases, the young driver was found to be responsible for the collision (65%).
- 58 car passengers were killed or seriously injured while travelling with a driver aged 17 to 23. Of these, over three-quarters (76%) were young passengers aged 14 to 20
- There were 23 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a motorcyclist aged 17 to 23.In 12 of these cases, the motorcyclist was responsible for the collision.
In 2020-2024:
- Young car drivers aged 17 to 23 were disproportionately involved in collisions on rural roads, accounting for 30% (142 of 476) of all KSI casualties on rural roads annually. Their involvement was lower on urban roads (14%) and dual carriageways (26%).
- Nearly half (46%) of KSI casualties among young passengers aged 14 to 20 travelling with a driver aged 17 to 23 occurred at the weekend, and more than a third (37%) happened between 11pm and 6am.
- Excessive speed was the most common cause of serious collisions where a car driver aged 17 to 23 was responsible, accounting for one in five (20%) of all such collisions. For young motorcyclists, inattention or attention diverted was the leading cause, accounting for one in four (25%) of collisions where they were responsible.
About this publication
The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Monitoring Report tracks the impact of the GDL scheme on road safety. The report presents road collision data for drivers and motorcyclists aged 17–23 in Northern Ireland, comparing the most recent five-year period (2020–2024) with a 2012–2016 baseline. It covers KSI casualties from collisions involving and caused by young drivers and motorcyclists, road type analysis, collision causation factors, lighting conditions, fixed penalty notices, and young passenger safety. The report also sets out plans for future data collection to monitor the impact of GDL once it comes into operation on 1 October 2026. It is intended to be updated annually.
Further information
For the full report, data tables and background information: Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) monitoring report 2024 | Department for Infrastructure