Since 1989, Victoria's road toll has had a large reduction. The 18-to-25 age group, however, continues to be vastly over-represented in road trauma statistics.
Young Victorians in their first year of driving are almost four times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than more experienced drivers. The reasons for this include:
- lack of experience and road awareness
- limited ability and judgment
- underestimation of risks
- deliberate risk-taking behaviours
- alcohol and drug use
The risks
- a young driver's risk of being involved in a fatal crash is over five times higher when carrying two or more passengers than when travelling alone
- young passengers are most likely to be killed in a car when travelling with young drivers
- for young male drivers, the riskiest combination is travelling with young male passengers
- passengers are central to risky driving, especially where young men are involved
- young male passengers often actively encourage their male peers to engage in risky driving behaviour
- many young males say they drive in a risky way to show off to young male passengers, even if the passengers have not asked them to
The reasons
Common reasons given for unsafe driving by young drivers include:
- sense of invincibility
- impressing friends and wanting to be accepted
- peer group pressure
- going along with the crowd and not wanting to be left out
- don't feel they can say no or speak up when they are in a risky situation
Reviewed 08 April 2019