Novice drivers are over represented in the crash statistics particularly at night. Graduated Driver Training and Licensing Programmes have been developed that could address the problem, however they have not been implemented in W A. This study examined the differences in crash pattern between drivers age 17-18 years old and those aged 19 to 59 years. Data were used from the Injury Research Centre's Road Injury Crash Database. Drivers age 17-18 years had a crash rate five times higher than adult drivers. Twenty- four percent of 17-18 year old driver crashes were at night compared with 16 percent for adult drivers. Speed and alcohol were involved more often in crashes at night-time involving 17-18 old drivers than daytime. Recommendations were made about the Graduated Driver Training and Licensing Programme to include night-time driving restrictions in the first six months which is the period of highest risk. (Author/publisher)
Abstract