Drivers aged 17 to 23 accounted for 24% of fatal and serious collisions in Northern Ireland in 2024. This group holds 8% of car driving licences. The figure shows a slight drop from 25% in the 2012-2016 baseline, when they held 9% of licences.

The 2024 GDL Monitoring Report recorded 251 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a car driver aged 17 to 23. This marks a 15% rise from the 2012-2016 average of 218. Of those, 164 casualties occurred in collisions where the young driver was at fault, up 11% from the baseline average of 147.

Young passengers face high risks. In 2024, 58 car passengers were killed or seriously injured with a driver aged 17 to 23. Of these, 76% were aged 14 to 20, compared to 61% in the 2012-2016 period.

Collisions with young motorcyclists also increased. There were 23 killed or seriously injured in crashes involving motorcyclists aged 17 to 23, 12% above the baseline average of 20.6. Of these, 12 resulted from collisions where the young motorcyclist was responsible, up 11% from 10.8.

Rural roads saw elevated risks. From 2020 to 2024, drivers aged 17 to 23 were involved in 142 of 476 fatal or serious casualties annually, or 30% of rural KSIs.

Excessive speed caused 20% of serious collisions where a car driver aged 17 to 23 was responsible. For motorcyclists in the group, inattention or attention diverted caused 25%.

Nearly half (49%) of KSIs caused by car drivers aged 17 to 23 from 2020 to 2024 happened in darkness, up from 48% in 2012-2016. The figure was 19% for motorcyclists.

The Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch published the Graduated Driver Licensing Monitoring Report 2024. The official statistics will assess GDL impact on road safety upon implementation in October. The Department for Infrastructure stated the data will inform GDL policy.