Traditionally, the approach to the improvement of young driver safety has been program-based, reflected in a training program or a nighttime driving restriction or a form of pre-driver education etc. Sometimes, a number of these activities are bundled together into a form of probationary or provisional licensing, consistent with a (limited) graduated licensing format. However, tradition has not served the cause of young driver safety well. While there is some evidence that young drivers have responded to broader-based strategies and enhancements to the road system over time, the development of successful, specifically targetted young driver safety initiatives is, with isolated exceptions, still awaited by the road safety community. This Action Plan breaks with tradition. It presents a system-based approach, in sharp contrast to a program-based approach. Further, it sets out explicitly to achieve its safety objectives by “…doing things with/for young drivers…” rather than “….doing things to them…”. Both the nature of the content and the values of young driver empowerment, support and guidance are hallmarks of the systems approach. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting