Changes in collision rates among novice drivers during the first months of driving.
As a group, young drivers have crash rates that far exceed those of older, experienced drivers. But even among teenagers there are age-related differences; crash rates decline consistently and dramatically with each yearly increase in age. A more precise understanding of how crash rates decline within the teenage group might provide insights into when experience is most influential. To address this issue, this study examines month-to-month changes in collisions among new drivers. It was found that crash rates drop most dramatically during the first 6 months of driving. Involvement in certain types of crashes-e.g. run-off-the-road, single-vehicle, night, weekend-declines more rapidly. The findings suggest that novices improve their driving in a relatively short period of time. A graduated driver licensing system is identified as an effective method for ensuring that this development takes place in a more forgiving environment.
Mayhew
Daniel R
DR
Traffic Injury Research Foundation, 171 Nepean Street, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ont, Canada K2P OB4. danm@trafficinjuryresearch.com
Simpson
Herbert M
HM
Pak
Anita
A
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors