young drivers and crash involvement
Each year in Victoria, approximately 70 road users aged between 18 and 25 are killed and 1800 are seriously injured.
Young drivers are most at risk as soon as they obtain a Probationary licence, and in the first year of driving, their risk of crashing is three times higher than an experienced driver.
why do young drivers crash?
Young drivers crash for many different reasons, which include:
- Inexperience
- Poor decision making
- Willingness to take risks whilst driving
- The influence of peer passengers
- Alcohol and drug use
the facts
- A young driver’s risk of being involved in a fatal crash is over five times higher when carrying two or more passengers than when travelling alone.
- Young passengers are most likely to be killed in a car when travelling with other young drivers.
some things for young drivers to remember:
- Get at least 120 hours of accompanied on-road experience before applying for your licence.
- Choose a safe car
- Adhere to passenger restrictions
- Don’t drive whilst tired
- Aim to increase space and following distances. Always keep a minimum two second gap from the vehicle in front.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Always ensure you and all of your passengers are wearing a seat belt
passenger restrictions
Victorian crash statistics show that 26% of fatal crashes involving probationary drivers occur when the young driver is carrying multiple passengers. The risk of crash involvement increases with the number of passengers, and new P plate drivers have four times the risk of being in a fatal crash if they are carrying more than one passenger.
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