Parents: The Roads That Put Your Children Most at Risk

When a 17-year-old dies behind the wheel, the heartbreak is unbearable. It happened again this week - a single-car crash, one young driver killed, four friends injured. He was still a child. As both a parent and a driving instructor, this is my greatest fear.

I didn’t allow my own son to take his test until he had driven on every type of road, in all conditions, and proved he had the skills to survive. I couldn’t have lived with myself otherwise. For me, every pupil is someone’s child - and I carry the weight of responsibility to prepare them properly.

But not every parent or instructor takes this seriously enough. Too often, learners are rushed to test, or their first solo drives are taken on roads they’ve never practised on. That gap in experience can cost lives.

The most dangerous roads for young drivers

Statistically, the riskiest places for new drivers are rural roads. They’re often:

• Narrow, twisting and unforgiving - with ditches, trees and stone walls instead of crash barriers.

• High speed by default - the National Speed Limit applies, but the safe speed is often much lower.

• Deceptively quiet - with less traffic, young drivers can be tempted to go faster, misjudging their limits.

These roads are where most young-driver fatalities happen. They are far more dangerous than busy urban streets.

The car and the confidence gap

Modern cars give a dangerous illusion of safety:

• Power steering, smooth suspension and quiet cabins make speed feel less than it is.

• Small hatchbacks can accelerate harder and corner faster than many young drivers realise.

• Safety systems can reduce risk - but they cannot rewrite the laws of physics.

Too many young drivers overestimate their ability and underestimate what their car can do to them in a split second.

Why limit point analysis matters

One of the most vital skills your child needs is limit point analysis - understanding how far ahead they can see and adjusting speed so they can always stop within that distance.

On a winding country lane, if the view tightens, the car must slow. If the view opens, they can make safe progress. This is the kind of judgement that saves lives. It isn’t instinctive. It must be taught and practised.

The thrill-seeking temptation

For many young drivers, especially with friends in the car, the temptation to show off is strong. It only takes one late-night drive, one corner too fast, one misjudged overtake.

As parents, you can’t sit in the car with them every time. But you can influence:

• When they take their test - don’t push for early independence if they’re not ready.

• Who they train with - make sure their instructor covers all road types, not just the test routes.

• What car they drive - smaller engine size, lower insurance group, and ideally equipped with modern safety tech.

Your role as parents

The best gift you can give your child is not just a driving licence, but the foundation to survive. That means:

• Asking questions about what roads they’ve practised on.

• Encouraging private practice, supervised if possible, on rural and night-time routes.

• Talking openly about risk-taking and peer pressure.

Your child might roll their eyes - but the message will land.

Final thought

Every fatal crash is one too many. As parents, as instructors, as a community, we share responsibility. Don’t settle for “just enough to pass the test.” Aim higher: enough to survive real-world roads, real-world conditions, and real-world pressures.

Because behind every statistic is a child who should have come home.