Young U.K. Drivers So-So on Safety, Advocates Say

A U.K. road-safety organization is concerned that a survey shows young drivers choosing a new vehicle are less concerned about safety than about the brand.

Brake says drivers, especially the young, should put safety first when it comes to buying a new vehicle.

A survey conducted for Brake found safety technologies are third on a list of decision-making factors for all drivers, behind reliability and fuel economy.

Only 48% of 1,000 drivers surveyed named safety as one of their three most important considerations. But among drivers aged 17-24, just 37% named safety, while 39% chose brand.

Brake says the survey also found infotainment systems, which allow access to social media and other functions unrelated to driving, are becoming an increasing factor in young drivers’ decision-making.

Some 21% of drivers aged 17-24 said they wanted such a system, and 17% said it is one of their most important features in choosing a vehicle.

The survey also showed a lack of driver interest in industry safety standards such as Euro NCAP. Only 23% of those surveyed said a 5-star Euro NCAP rating is something they look for in a new vehicle.

Brake deputy CEO Julie Townsend says all drivers should put safety features at the top of the list when choosing a new vehicle, opting for a 5-star Euro NCAP rating wherever possible.

“Vehicle-safety technology has come on leaps and bounds, and a large part of the casualty reductions we have seen in recent decades are likely to be attributable to this,” Townsend says in a statement. “It is important that all drivers take advantage of these advances as much as possible, to protect both themselves and the people around them.”

Brake wants the government to regulate the use of systems that let drivers perform tasks straight from the dashboard that have nothing to driving, such as checking social media and emailing, saying they are potentially as distracting and dangerous as using a cellphone.

The group also wants tougher penalties for distracted driving.