Skip to main content

Young drivers pose biggest road safety risk

Research published by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) reinstates past reports that young drivers continue to represent the biggest road safety challenge in terms of crash risk. Meanwhile older drivers are characterised in as being more cautious and able to adapt their driving styles in response to reduced driving-related capabilities. This process is referred to as “self-regulation”. However, whilst collision rates of older drivers may generally be low, the analyses of injury statistics in Great Bri
December 11, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Research published by the Transport Research Laboratory (777 TRL) reinstates past reports that young drivers continue to represent the biggest road safety challenge in terms of crash risk. Meanwhile older drivers are characterised in as being more cautious and able to adapt their driving styles in response to reduced driving-related capabilities. This process is referred to as “self-regulation”. However, whilst collision rates of older drivers may generally be low, the analyses of injury statistics in Great Britain (Lang, 2015) and other countries (OECD, 2001; Hakamies-Blomqvist, 1993; McGwin & Brown, 1999; Clarke, 2010) consistently find specific patterns of collisions for older drivers. This study sheds light on a process described as being effective in limiting older drivers’ collision involvement, but which is only poorly understand. The report posed the question how far a lack of calibration is a problem for young and older drivers. This can suggest measures that may improve the performance of older drivers through training.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Global pressures driving bitumen developments
    June 19, 2015
    A raft of global pressures is driving developments in the materials and equipment we use for the handling, storage and treatment of bitumen. The goal is to achieve better performance and longer life for less financial outlay, and at the same time overcome the challenges of inconsistent and varying bitumen supplies. Kristina Smith reports.
  • Developments in hybrid vehicles
    February 27, 2012
    There is an array of future vehicle solutions in development - Mike Woof reports. Ever since Henry Ford's Model T showed that the motor car could provide transport for ordinary people rather than being an exclusive toy of the rich, vehicle numbers have exploded. In every country around the world, vehicle ownership continues to grow.
  • Poland developing road safety strategy
    May 22, 2013
    The authorities in Poland are working on a road safety strategy intended to tackle the country’s high level of fatalities and injuries from traffic crashes. Improvements in safety levels are being seen with a decline in the fatality rate and in 2012, 3,600 people were killed representing a drop of 22.3% from the previous year. The first quarter of 2013 saw an 18.1% drop in road crashes, a 25.4% fall in fatalities and an 18.4% reduction in injuries compared with statistics available for the same period in 20
  • Why do consumers buy electric cars?
    February 29, 2012
    The International Transport Forum at the OECD, an intergovernmental organisation for the transport sector that comprises 52 countries, has announced the winner of its 2011 Young Researcher of the Year Award.