Anyone who practices driving at the age of 17 accompanied by their mother or father is less likely to cause accidents later: Young drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 have a "damage frequency" that is over a quarter lower if they have already obtained their driver's license at the age of 17 and practiced "accompanied driving". have, as an analysis by HUK Coburg has shown. The effect can therefore be seen most clearly in the 18 and 19 year olds.
While accompanying persons do not necessarily have to be the parents according to the rules, this is standard practice in most families. With a good 13 million insured vehicles, the Coburg company is the market leader in Germany. According to the information, the frequency of claims for 18 and 19-year-old novice drivers is 28 percent lower than for those who learn to drive on their own responsibility without adult advisors in the passenger seat.
According to the HUK, the positive effect has a long-term effect: for 20 to 22-year-old drivers, the frequency of claims is 26 percent lower if they practiced accompanied driving years earlier at the age of 17. For 23 and 24-year-olds, the damage is still 25 percent less.
Berlin coalition wants accompanied driving from the age of 16
The Berlin coalition wants to allow accompanied driving from the age of 16. However, according to a Yougov survey commissioned by HUK, the majority of Germans reject this. In the representative survey of 4173 people aged 16 and over, 34 percent were in favor, a majority of 54 percent were against - the older the participants, the higher the proportion of opponents. The survey dates from the beginning of the year, but the HUK assumes that nothing significant has changed in this mood.
According to the insurer's experts, accompanied driving at the age of 16 could also make traffic safer. "We welcome this initiative," said Board Member Jörg Rheinländer, referring to the positive experiences so far.
On statistical average, young and very old drivers cause the most accidents, while middle-aged drivers drive the safest. This is why the contribution curve for car insurance over the course of a driver's lifetime is U-shaped: novice drivers pay high premiums, middle-aged drivers pay low premiums, and when people retire, car policies become much more expensive again.
