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Around 25% of all drivers killed or seriously injured each year are aged
between 17 and 25. Drivers aged 17 to 20 are around eleven times more likely
to be killed than drivers aged 40 to 44.
The main causes include:
- Lack of experience
- Taking risks, especially speeding
- Poor perception of hazards
- Over-confidence
- Distractibility, especially through pressure from passengers.
How can young drivers reduce their chances of death and
injury?
1. Get as much driving practice as possible
Learner drivers should get as much driving practice as possible.
Learner drivers who have around 120 hours of supervised practice have been
shown to have substantial crash reductions - up to 35% per kilometre travelled
in the first year after gaining a licence.
2. Learn to drive defensively
Defensive driving involves learning to anticipate trouble on the
road before it happens. The Competency-based (logbook) scheme for getting
a driver’s licence and many driving instructors use a defensive driving
approach. Defensive driving courses will improve all aspects of your driving.
3. Try to avoid carrying more than 1 passenger (especially of a similar
age to the driver)
Male passengers in South Australia aged 13-24 tend to have the greatest
death rates, and both male and female passengers in this age group tend to
have the greatest serious injury rates. See if a more experienced or fully-licensed
driver can drive a group of young people, or if you are driving a group of
people, try to make sure at least one person is an experienced or fully-licensed
driver.
4. Gain experience in night-driving
Provisionally licensed drivers in South Australia aged 16-17 who
are driving very late at night have crash rates up to 7 times the day time
rates. Night driving usually requires more skills and concentration. Gain
practice in night driving with a more experienced driver sitting alongside
you, or see if a more experienced driver is available to take you.
Graph 1 Age Group of Driver Casualty rates in South Australia
National and South Australian research have found four major reasons for
this and ways young people can reduce this risk.
Why young drivers?
-
Risk-taking
Research has shown that young drivers, particularly males, are more likely
to drink drive and to drive too fast for the road conditions.
-
Perception of hazards
The skills to accurately assess hazards and risks have not developed fully
eg they often drive too close to the vehicle in front and run red lights
rather than stop.
-
Passengers
Young driver crash risk increases when they carry similar age passengers.
This is likely to be due to distractions caused by the passengers as well
as peer pressure on the driver.
-
Night driving
Many crashes which lead to the death of the young driver occur at night,
particularly on weekend nights and when carrying passengers. This is likely
to be due to inexperience in night driving, as well as risk taking, particularly
on weekend nights and when carrying passengers.
Other Important Information
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