Young drivers warned about dangerous roads in Warwickshire after teenager killed in crash
The AA Trust research highlights the A425 between Leamington Spa and Daventry as one of the riskiest rural roads for young drivers.
Last updated 24th Jan 2023
Young drivers are being warned about the dangers of Warwickshire’s rural roads, as part of a campaign in memory of a teenager who died in a car crash.
Edmund King, AA Charitable Trust Director, and Sharron Huddleston, whose 18-year-old daughter was killed in 2017, will deliver the message tomorrow.
It’s part of an online webinar run by Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership.
Caitlin was killed in Cumbria, after the car she was travelling in as a front-seat passenger collided with an oncoming van.
Sharron Huddleston has now made it her mission to help others to avoid the devastation that her family has faced since Caitlin’s sudden and preventable death.
She said: "If only I had known the risks, I would not have let Caitlin get in the car that day.
"Had we been made aware just how many young people lose their lives every year in road crashes, we could have made an informed decision about whether to allow Caitlin to travel in a friend’s car."
The webinar forms part of a wider campaign, run by the AA Trust, which aims to educate young people about the dangers of rural roads.
The campaign’s research highlights the most dangerous rural roads for young drivers on an interactive map.
In Warwickshire, this is the A425, between Leamington Spa and Southam and Daventry. The research shows on these two stretches of road, 34% of collisions involved a young driver.
Mr King said: "Our Rural Young Drivers campaign delivers vital information to young drivers about the dangers they face on rural roads – specifically those in the areas they live.
"Knowledge of which rural roads in their locality pose the greatest threat to young drivers helps improve awareness of potential danger and encourages young drivers to take extra care. Many people underestimate the danger rural roads pose, but 71% of fatal crashes involving a young driver happen on them."
He continued: "Working with Sharron to help deliver these valuable lessons has been truly humbling. “She is an inspirational campaigner for road safety who tirelessly works to prevent any other parent going through the tragedy of losing a child."
To sign up to the webinar, visit Together on the Learning to Drive Journey | Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership (warksroadsafety.org).