Increase in young drivers being killed or seriously injured on Wiltshire roads

A recent incident in Yarnbrook resulted in a car striking a tree with such force that the engine was ripped out the car before rebounding back into the road, where it hit another vehicle.

An 18-year-old man, who only passed his driving test in October, was also recently caught speeding near Bromham after he was "distracted by loud music."

Officers  say they have noticed a concerning increase in the number of younger drivers coming to harm on roads around the county, and recorded a noticeable increase in drivers younger than 30 being caught speeding as well as driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

They say they have also witnessed a much higher number of young drivers being killed or seriously injured in recent months.

Sgt Will Ayres of the Roads Policing Unit said: “This is a very concerning development. Over one weekend alone, eight young drivers were stopped for driving in excess 100mph on the M4 and A303.

“And recently we were called to a three-vehicle road traffic collision in Yarnbrook involving young drivers and passengers in which the initial impact with a tree was so high that the engine left the car before rebounding back into the carriageway and striking another vehicle.

The engine

“One driver suffered a number of serious injuries whilst the younger passengers suffered minor injuries. Six other drivers were arrested for drink and drug driving offences.

“In the last week an 18 year old man, who only passed his driving test in October, was stopped driving 57mph in a 30 limit in St Ediths Marsh, Bromham by the Specials Road Safety Unit.

"The driver was with three young passengers on board, and he said he was distracted by loud music and didn’t realise he was nearly double the speed limit.”

“I would like to remind all drivers on the roads of Wiltshire, especially younger drivers to be aware that there may be a skill fade from not driving as routinely as they once did due to the lockdown. I would also urge everyone to check that their vehicles are roadworthy.”

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit along with officers from the Community Policing Teams are out patrolling the roads of Wiltshire and are actively looking to identify offences that contribute to death and serious injury on the roads to ensure that the road users of Wiltshire are kept safe.