Training and education programs targeting young drivers take many forms and can occur at numerous stages of a driver's development: in schools, otherwise at a pre-licensing level, in various forms as part of the licensing process or in the years immediately following licensing. A review of the research literature suggests that these programs invariably have one common feature: they are unable to demonstrate that they are effective in reducing young drivers' high crash rates. Reasons for this ineffectiveness are discussed and ways forward that hold more promise are identified. The paper also uses the literature to gather the evidence to support graduated licensing as the most promising option currently available to reduce young drivers' crashes. The paper concludes with an outline of Tasmania's new novice driver licensing scheme and its relationship to the findings emerging from the literature reviews. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208180.
Abstract