An investigation of the relationship between years of licensing, traffic offences, and crash involvement : a comparison of first year drivers with drivers licensed for 10 years and 5 years.

Young drivers continue to represent a major problem on Western Australian roads due to their over-involvement in crashes and traffic offences compared with more experienced drivers. This study undertook a descriptive and comparative analysis of the crashes and traffic offences of first year drivers and drivers licensed for ten years and five years. In addition, multivariate modelling was undertaken to determine the effect of 'years of licensing' on crash involvement and of traffic infringements and convictions on crash involvement among first year drivers. Compared with more experienced drivers, it was found that first year drivers have a substantially higher risk of being involved in a crash and of incurring a traffic infringement and conviction. It was also found that both infringements and convictions are predictive of first year drivers' involvement in a crash and that infringements alone are predictive of first year drivers' involvement in a serious injury crash. A number of recommendations were made for reducing the risk of crashing and injury among young novice drivers. (Author/publisher)