In the first year of driving new drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision. This is often due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Lack of experience - As experience increases a driver´s accident rate decreases.
- Attitude -Young drivers, particularly males, are often over confident and more likely to take risks in terms of speed, overtaking and following distance.
- Hazard Perception - Although they often have excellent reaction skills, young drivers tend to be poor at identifying potential hazards and assessing risk.
- Peer Pressure - Young drivers carrying passengers are over-represented in crash statistics.
- Gender - Young male drivers are far more likely to commit traffic offences.