Death of Cumbrian teenager to be the focus of National young driver safety event
Caitlin Huddleston was killed in crash on a rural road
Last updated 24th Mar 2023
The death of a Cumbrian teenager in a horror crash is being used at a National Road Safety conference to help deliver a powerful message.
18-year-old Caitlin Huddleston was a passenger in a car which crashed on the A595 in Millom in 2017. Her friend, who was driving, also lost her life.
They were heading to a local Italian restaurant for dinner when her friend lost control on a bend and collided with a van. Neither driver was speeding, but according to the coroner the newly qualified driver entered the bend, driving too fast for the wet road conditions. The crash was put down to inexperience. The third occupant of the car and van driver were both severely injured in the crash.
Caitlin's mum Sharron, who's now campaigning for more training for young drivers once they have passed their test, will be speaking at the Young Driver Focus conference in London alongside AA President Edmund King.
Research from the AA Charitable Trust, which analysed more than 70,000 young, rural driver crashes over a six-year period, shows 71% of fatal car crashes involving young drivers take place on rural roads. The research also found:
• July, August, October and November are the most concerning months for crashes involving young drivers on rural roads
• Proportion of crashes involving young drivers which are on Sundays is 9% higher on rural roads than on urban roads
• Single vehicle collisions account for 27% of all young driver crashes on rural roads compared to 15% for drivers of all ages.
• Substance impairment factor in 9% of young rural driver crashes on Sundays compared to 4% on all other days
Sharron is now working alongside the AA Trust to help deliver 'Caitlin's Message'. She said: "We are honoured that the AA Trust has chosen Caitlin to be the symbol of this rural roads campaign. I hope the 'Caitlin's Message’, which is targeted at new drivers and their parents, will make them think twice about their safety particularly on rural roads.
"I know Caitlin would want me to raise awareness in her memory, to try to help stop what happened to her, happening to any other young innocent people. This is what we are trying to do through 'Caitlin's Message'.”
Edmund King, AA president, said: “Many young drivers and indeed parents are unaware that rural roads pose a specific and significant risk to young drivers and potentially are much more dangerous than motorways or urban roads. 71% of fatal car crashes involving young drivers take place on rural roads.
“Our data clearly shows that the rural road risk is highest for the youngest drivers on our roads and decreases with each year of age. This is a clear sign greater education and exposure to rural roads helps alleviate the risks they pose.
“Caitlin’s Message is a safety message from the grave but a message that her mother bravely wants to spread to prevent others experiencing the same tragedy.”
The Young Driver Focus 2022 conference will be held in London on 25th May.