Young drivers at greater risk

In 2012, young drivers aged between 18 and 25 years made up 23% of all driver fatalities, despite accounting for approximately 12% of all licence holders.

Research indicates that young drivers are at greater risk – in fact they are 30 times more likely to crash when they first start driving on their Ps because they are inexperienced and are more likely to take risks on the road.

Some of the behaviours that increase the risk of crashing among young drivers include:

Driving with peer aged passengers Night time driving Use of mobile phones Drink driving and/or affected by illicit drugs Risky driving – such as speeding Driving older and less safe cars

Research suggests that parents can still play a role in their new driver’s safety. Encouraging and educating parents about how they can help reduce the risks faced by their children as road users provides further potential to prevent crashes involving young adults.

Parental role modelling has also been identified as being important in developing safe behaviours amongst children.

Despite a large reduction in Victoria's road toll since 1989, the 18 to 25 year age group remains vastly over-represented in road trauma statistics.

In their first year of driving, young Victorians are almost four times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than more experienced drivers.

While 18 to 25 year olds represent around 14% of licenced drivers, they accounted for approximately 28% of all drivers killed on Victoria's roads.

A review of young drivers by the Australian Federal Office of Road Safety, now the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), found them to be at greater risk on the roads for a variety of reasons including: lack of experience

limited ability and judgement under estimation of risks deliberate risk-taking behaviours and use of alcohol and drugs.

As part of a co-ordinated effort to reduce the incidence, severity and cost to the community of road crashes involving young people, the TAC developed a youth strategy aimed at predrivers, learner drivers and probationary drivers.

The strategy includes the programs and initiatives of the TAC's road safety partners: VicRoads, Victoria Police and the RACV.

Launched in March 1999, the HELP campaign aims to achieve long-term reductions in the youth road toll by: reducing deliberate risk-taking behaviour increasing learner driver experience and providing a research platform to address young driver behaviour.

A Graduated Licensing System (GLS) has now been introduced in Victoria with new requirements for learner drivers, probationary license holders and young drivers aged up to 25.

You can find out more at the Victorian Road Safety Strategy website.