Crash Rates of Younger Drivers

Over the past decade crash rates of younger drivers have been increasing despite a decrease in their driver population. This study examined specific driving maneuvers whose unsuccessful undertaking results in specific types of crashes involving these drivers. Four types of crashes were identified including crashes at intersections, rear end, crashes resulting from passing maneuvers and single vehicle crashes. For all crashes a general trend of decreasing involvement with increasing age was observed indicating that inexperience is the largest single contributor to the increased crash rates of younger drivers. Increasing the level of awareness among young drivers about these issues and their likely crash involvement seems to be the only viable approach.