1/25/2018 Young drivers - European Commission

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Young drivers

The opinions expressed in the studies are those of the consultant and do not
necessarily represent the position of the Commission.

Cyclists
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_n
eed_to_cater_safely_for_all_users/cyclists_en)

Elderly
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_n
eed_to_cater_safely_for_all_users/elderly_en)

Motorized two-wheelers
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_n
eed_to_cater_safely_for_all_users/motorized_two_wheelers_en)

Pedestrians
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_n
eed_to_cater_safely_for_all_users/pedestrians_en)

Roads need to cater safely for all users

(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_n
eed_to_cater_safely_for_all_users_en)

Young drivers
It can be seen that in almost all European countries road accidents are the major
cause of death among young people. Per 100,000 inhabitants, 3 times as many
people aged between 18 and 20 and twice as many aged between 21 and 24 die in
cars as people aged between 25 and 65. Young riders and drivers are more often to
blame for errors that cause accidents than older riders and drivers [72]
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/references_en
#Ref_072_Promising_1998).

It can be seen that in almost all European countries road accidents are the major
cause of death among young people. Per 100,000 inhabitants, 3 times as many
people aged between 18 and 20 and twice as many aged between 21 and 24 die in
cars as people aged between 25 and 65. Young riders and drivers are more often to
blame for errors that cause accidents than older riders and drivers [72]
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/references_en
#Ref_072_Promising_1998)

Several characteristics of young drivers that are related to traffic engineering

countermeasures can be identified [25]
(https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/references_en

https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/road/roads_need_to_cater_safely_for_all_users/young_drivers_en 1/2
1/25/2018 Young drivers - European Commission

#Ref_025_FHWA_2001_Young):

Visual Search: Young drivers tend to have more vehicle-centered looking than
up-road looking.

Automaticity: Young drivers have not acquired the automaticity of certain driving
tasks that is gained with experience and that allows fluid switching between
driving tasks under stressful conditions.

Hazard Detection: Young drivers, in general, detect traffic hazards less reliably
and more slowly than experienced drivers.

Perception of Risk: Young drivers tend to perceive less risk associated with traffic
hazards.

Attention Allocation: Young drivers are more easily distracted by non-driving

related events, such as conversations that occur between passengers in the car
and controlling the vehicle audio system.

Self-Assessment: Young drivers tend to overestimate their ability to control a

vehicle under emergency conditions.

Comprehension of Traffic Control Devices: Young drivers may not understand the
meaning of traffic control devices as much as experienced drivers, and seem to
use the devices less than is ideal.

Vehicle Control: Young drivers are less skilled at making emergency maneuvers
and are vulnerable to overcorrection errors that lead to loss of control.

Anticipation: Young drivers, in general, show less ability to anticipate emerging

traffic hazards.

Specific roadway design features known to be problematic for young drivers include


the negotiation of horizontal curves and junctions. Several studies analyze young
driver problems in detail to develop improved design and operational guidelines and
countermeasures.

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