Novice drivers are involved in road accidents to a great extend. The objective of the EU-Project "DAN" (Description and Analysis of Post Licensing Measures for Novice Drivers) was to elaborate recommendations to solve this problem. The following recommendations were issued: 1) An extended supported learning period for novice drivers regardless of age should be implemented on mandatory basis at least stepwise; 2) The measures of the extended supported learning period for novice drivers should be sufficiently differentiated. Novice drivers and their problems are different; 3) A probation period with demerit point systems and feedback of about two to five years for novice drivers as well as a central index of traffic offenders should be implemented; 4) Safe driving courses have to avoid that participants overestimate their own skills after participation or get a misinterpretation of drivers task only as a task for mastery of vehicle manoeuvring or single emergency situations; 5) Individual feedback is an important element of any post licensing measure; 6) A zero-Alcohol limit for novice drivers should be introduced; 7) Specific speed limits for novice drivers or mandatory curfews shall not be applied; and 8) Quality assurance systems for post licensing measures have to be implemented. (Author/publisher).
Abstract