It's a well-known statistic that the greatest cause of teen death is automobile accidents. Here in the US, police departments are starting special safety classes just for teen drivers, and everyone knows that insuring a young driver is extremely expensive.

Before you pause to complain about what your paying to keep your teen safe behind the wheel, however, consider what's going on in the United Kingdom. According to an article in Scotland on Sunday, two thirds of insurers in that country are refusing to cover drivers under the age of 18, and half are refusing to cover anyone under 21. This is a calculated decision, and an attempt to make the government increase the legal driving age to 18.

Insurers are not limiting their political action just to coverage refusals, however. They are also pushing for restrictions on night driving, enforced curfews, and a complete ban on alcohol for newly qualified drivers.

In addition, MPs (Members of Parliament) on the Transport Select Committee called for a year-long learning period for all drivers, tougher tests, more hazard training, and a minimum age of eighteen for a full license. In the United Kingdom, drivers under 25 account for a third of all accident related fatalities, and that number is increasing, even though fatalities are falling among older drivers. In addition, drivers under 21 are ten times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident than drivers just four years older.

Nigel Bartram, the motor underwriting manager for UK insurance company Norwich Union told reporter Teresa Hunter, "We are rapidly reaching the point where we have no option but to begin setting premiums at a level where we realize they are no longer affordable and we will not be selling much cover."

This only proves that driving habits among young drivers are becoming a global issue.