A quarter of UK drivers narrowly avoided a crash last year, according to a damning new survey by AA Accident Assist.
The poll of 13,767 drivers revealed that young motorists were most at risk, with almost two-fifths (37 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds experiencing at least one near miss in 2024.
This contrasts sharply with older road users, as only a fifth of drivers aged 65 and over said they had experienced a near miss during the same period.
The findings come amid concerns about road safety, particularly for newly qualified drivers, with AA Accident Assist noting that one in five new drivers crash within their first 12 months after passing their test.
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More than a quarter of drivers said they were almost involved in an accident
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The survey revealed significant gender differences, with more than a quarter of men (27 per cent) reporting near misses compared to just a fifth of women.
Regional variations were also notable, with Northern Ireland drivers experiencing the highest rate of near misses at 35 per cent.
This was considerably higher than in Scotland and Wales, where only 21 per cent of drivers reported almost being involved in a crash.
AA Accident Assist has called for improved young driver education policies in response to these statistics.
They recommend learner drivers gain experience in a wide range of circumstances before taking their driving test.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: "Crashing into something or someone can be a frightening and stressful experience, yet one in four drivers almost found themselves in that position.
"Some drivers admitted to us that they were distracted by something else at the time, or that they simply weren't expecting the unexpected.
"Concentration on roundabouts and at junctions is especially important, as these are where drivers were most vulnerable."
According to DVSA figures, the top reasons for failing practical driving tests include ineffective observations at junctions, incorrect mirror use, and inappropriate responses to traffic lights.
The survey also captured details of almost 3,000 drivers' near misses on the road last year, revealing the most common danger spots.
Roundabouts topped the list, with 560 respondents reporting incidents where someone almost ran into the back of them, or they nearly collided with the vehicle in front.
Car parks were the second most hazardous location, accounting for 315 near-miss events.
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Drivers are most at risk on roundabouts, according to AA research
PA
Rankin emphasised that driving skills need continuous development throughout life, with AA Accident Assist advocating for all motorists to undertake "in-life driver education courses".
He added: "While inexperience is a big factor, drivers of all ages found themselves in difficult situations. Driving is a lifetime skill, so finding a way to encourage and reward in-life learning could produce safer drivers."
