Teen drivers like to learn the hard way

At least that is what a new study of young drivers by the George Institute for International Health says.

SOMETIMES you need to brandish a big stick to get people to take notice.

At least that is what a new study of young drivers by the George Institute for International Health says.

Apparently, driver education alone won’t encourage young drivers to adhere to the road rules. Only the police and the law will get it into their heads that bad driving behaviour is dangerous.

The researchers found that no matter how well-educated to road dangers young drivers were they still engaged in risky road antics.

The findings showed many speeded just for ‘the thrill of it’, and included a list of bad road behaviours contributing to young people ending up in life-threatening crashes – speeding, street racing, tailgating, speeding up when someone tries to pass, or doing burnouts and doughnuts.

Even carrying two or more passengers, listening to loud music, low-level speeding and mobile phone use were contributors to road crashes for these young drivers.

Comments by Associate Professor Rebecca Ivers such as ‘no one has been able to demonstrate any really good safety benefits in driver education in giving people information about risk’ must seem pretty harsh to driver educators who work with young people today.

But the study showed police enforcement of road rules, tougher provisional licensing restrictions and practical road safety initiatives like random breath-testing were the most effective tools in reducing
crashes.

Professor Ivers is calling for additional restrictions on P-plate drivers, including a curb on night-time driving.

I say whatever works to make our roads safer for young people is the right answer.

Originally published as Teen drivers like to learn the hard way