Younger drivers 'more likely to submit accident claims'

Older motorists have been found to be potentially safer drivers in icy conditions than their younger counterparts.

This is according to Saga Motor Insurance, which has suggested the risk of road traffic accident claims relating to incidents involving drivers over 50 is lower in winter weather.

In a report, the company revealed it has witnessed a 17 per cent drop in claims against insurance policies by older motorists compared with the same period of 2009.

This is despite severe conditions and sub-zero temperatures in recent weeks and indicates over 50s are listening to warnings to plan journeys carefully and only undertake trips by car if they are absolutely necessary.

"It is really encouraging that older motorists are using their experience and planning around the bad weather to ensure they are not out on the roads in the ice and snow," director-general of Saga Ros Altmann declared.

Saga's report follows figures from the AA indicating 70 per cent of all car accident insurance claims at present are related to slippery conditions, although the number of personal injury claims has declined slightly as crashes occurred at lower speeds than usual.

Published by Tessa Jones