DANGER: 23-YEAR-OLD DRIVER ALERT

Virgin Money analysis shows the riskiest ages to drive

The Government may be planning new tests for older drivers to ensure they are fit to drive – but Virgin Money analysis shows it is 23-year-olds who are the most risky on the road.

Its research shows one in 20 of all claims made on Virgin Money Motor Insurance are from 23-year-olds with the under-25s making 26 per cent of all claims.

The analysis of more than 14,000 claims shows why insurers charge high premiums to younger drivers and why older drivers are not necessarily the biggest risk on the road.

Government plans for older drivers are reckoned to include health checks on whether they are fit to drive and is in response to statistics showing that by 2021 more than three million drivers will be aged over 70.

However the Virgin Money analysis shows the majority of claims come from the under-30s who were responsible for close to 50 per cent of all claims.

Virgin Money says younger drivers tend to be more risky because they are less experienced and because many will be driving modified cars. It warns the slump in new car sales may mean a rise in drivers buying second-hand cars and then adapting them.

Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, said: “It is striking that 23-year-olds as an age group make the highest proportion of claims.“

The Government focus on older drivers and ensuring they are fit to drive is of course sensible but it is clear that they are not necessarily the greatest risk. “Of course there are safe drivers who are 23 just as there are careless drivers of any and every age. Drivers should make sure that they treat the roads with respect and have insurance should they have an accident, or become involved in a traffic incident.”