This before-after study that the post-renewal drivers had less accidents than the pre-renewal drivers even if other possible factors are considered, e.g. the safer traffic environment. The decrease in accidents occurred one year after the renewal, when the new training was fully implemented, and the downward trend in novice drivers' accidents has continued since. The decrease in accidents was related to the number of driving licenses to control for the differences in the novice driver population. Also the decline in exposure was controlled for. The post-renewal male drivers had clearly fewer accidents as well as a positive change in their attitudes compared to the pre-renewal drivers or the female drivers. They had also fewer accidents in difficult conditions. A general increase in traffic safety could also not explain fully the decrease in accidents as the time difference between pre- and post-renewal drivers was just two years. (A)
Abstract