October is ‘danger month’ for new drivers

October is the most dangerous month of the year for new, young drivers, says pay- as-you-drive insurer Coverbox.

A combination of darker nights, worsening weather and at-the-wheel over- confidence means new drivers put themselves and other road users at most risk in October.

“Come September, many young drivers are taking to the road for the first time; they’re going to university or college, they have their first job, they have an income which gives them a better social life – and it all means more car usage at more risky road-using times,” said Paul Stacy, Managing Director of Coverbox.

“They’re also gaining a false confidence in their ability, driving faster – but, crucially, encountering, for the very first time, weather that causes dangerous driving conditions.

“If that bad weather is at night, at the weekend, then in some cases it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

“It is in everybody’s interest – the drivers themselves, parents, other road users, the insurance companies and emergency services – that we dissuade young drivers from taking to the road after 11pm at weekends, the most dangerous times for under-23 car users, a period known as ‘superpeak’ for insurance purposes.

“Parents do have an option, though. The best thing a parent can do is agree to pay for day-time pay-as-you-drive car insurance, but insist their offspring cover the cost of ‘superpeak’ driving.

“Superpeak pay-as-you-drive costs can be several times more expensive than off- peak or even peak period mileage costs, and after the first few bills they get for aimless post-11pm cruising, and while young drivers may not appreciate how dangerous it is to be driving at that late hour, they soon realise that being on the road at that time can be very expensive in more ways than one.”

Coverbox pay-as-you-drive insurance allows drivers to take out comprehensive cover that is paid for by the mile, with the price per mile varying according to the time of the day or night: off-peak, peak or “super-peak” times.

Over-23s are charged according to rush hour (Mon to Fri 730am – 930am & 430pm to 600pm excluding public holidays) or off-peak use, but under-23s are also subject to a “super-peak” charging structure: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1100pm to 500am, and public holidays 1100pm to 500am.

All Coverbox policyholders get free theft tracking – which would be at least £200 more on top of a traditional insurance policy – in addition they have a personal website which enables them to see precisely how many miles they are driving, and what the cost of those miles is.

The technology behind Coverbox – provided by Cobra, one of Europe’s leading automotive security companies, and based on proven equipment specified as original equipment by several major car makers – means customers will also have the additional peace of mind of theft tracking: in virtually all cases, Coverbox can track and locate the car if it is stolen.

Author: Faye Sunderland, September 14th, 2009
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

One Response to “October is ‘danger month’ for new drivers”