Young, inexperienced and newly qualified drivers can often be involved in crashes. This is due to _________.

Related Information

Young drivers are more prone to crash for a variety of reasons, including inexperience, overconfidence, poor hazard perception skills, alcohol and drug use, distracted driving, and fatigue.

Inexperience and overconfidence

One in five new drivers will get in a collision in their first six months of driving, which can be largely attributed to inexperience and overconfidence. According to research, 1,000 miles of solo driving can help someone overcome their lack of experience. The majority of the circumstances the new driver will encounter should have been encountered by the end of this 1,000 miles, making it easier for them to identify possible hazards early and take appropriate action. Learner drivers typically master the fundamentals of vehicle handling in just 15 hours. However, other driving skills, such as hazard perception, take longer to develop. As a result, a young driver may mistakenly believe that they are "better drivers than they really are" and place demands on their ability that are out of proportion to their level of experience and skill behind the wheel.

Driving hazard perception

According to research, inexperienced drivers tend to have less visual awareness than experienced ones. They also display a smaller range of horizontal scanning of the road, look closer to the front of the car, check their mirrors less frequently, and pay more attention to stationary things than moving ones. This is a result of inexperience and is not intentional.

Drink and drug use

According to research, every alcoholic drink a young driver consumes significantly increases their likelihood of being in a collision and suffering serious or fatal injuries. The ability to think clearly and drive safely is impacted by both alcohol and drugs.

Distraction

Driver distraction occurs when a person engages in a different activity while operating a vehicle. This kind of multitasking is not always possible for everyone, especially if the second task is time-consuming or complex. Using a hand-held mobile phone is against the law. Even though using a hands-free phone is lawful, it can still be incredibly distracting.

Driver fatigue

Many traffic collisions can be caused directly or indirectly by drivers who are fatigued. Exhaustion-related crashes can result from a variety of factors, including drivers who are drowsy or distracted due to fatigue. Young drivers are especially at risk since they are more inclined to drive late at night.